Murray Trial - All media reports/articles - Merged - No discussion

[myosotis]

Closing arguments set in trial of Michael Jackson's doctor
By Alan Duke, CNN
November 3, 2011 -- Updated 0731 GMT (1531 HKT)

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor will hear closing arguments from the prosecution and defense Thursday, with deliberations on Dr. Conrad Murray's fate expected to begin late Thursday or Friday.

It follows 22 days of testimony from several of Murray's girlfriends and patients, Jackson employees, paramedics and emergency room doctors, investigators and medical experts.

Jackson's mother will sit on one side of the courtroom, while Murray's mother is likely to be seated on the other end Thursday as the seven men and five women on the jury listen to each side sum up their case.

Jackson was preparing for a series of 50 shows in London, part of a career comeback, when he died on June 25, 2009.

Murray told detectives in an interview two days after Jackson's death that he had used the surgical anesthetic propofol to help Jackson sleep nearly every night for the previous two months, with the exception of his last three nights.

He was using the sedatives lorazepam and Midazolam in an effort to wean Jackson off of propofol the morning he died, Murray said. When those drugs weren't working after almost 10 hours of trying, he gave him a single injection of propofol, which did put Jackson to sleep, he said.

Jackson's death was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled.
The prosecution contends Dr. Murray's use of propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia was so reckless it was criminally negligent and caused the singer's death.
Murray failed to perform the legal obligation as a doctor because his treatment egregiously and extremely deviated from the required standard of medical care, the prosecution alleges.

The defense contends that Jackson, not Murray, administered the fatal doses of propofol and sedatives the coroner ruled killed the pop icon. He was so desperate for sleep, and afraid his comeback concerts would be canceled without it, that he injected himself while Murray was not watching, the defense argues.

Prosecutors say it makes no difference how the propofol got into Jackson's blood since it was Murray who brought the drugs into the bedroom and left him alone long enough to die.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will start Thursday's court session by instructing the jury on the law guiding the decisions they must make.
The jury must unanimously agree on one of two theories in order to convict Murray on the single count of involuntary manslaughter.

The first theory is that Murray's administration of propofol to Jackson was criminally negligent and it caused Jackson's death.
Although it was legal, as a licensed doctor, for Murray to administer propofol to Jackson, they could find he was reckless in the way he did it, which created a high risk of death.
Criminal negligence requires more than just ordinary carelessness, inattention, or mistakes in judgment, the judge will tell jurors. A reasonable person would have to have known that the action would create such a risk of death.

Prosecutors have laid out a list of acts they allege were negligent, including not having other medical staff present when propofol was used, a lack of monitoring equipment, ineffective resuscitative care when Jackson stopped breathing and a delay in calling for an ambulance.
Using propofol, which is intended to sedate surgical patients, for sleep was another egregious deviation, they argue.

The second theory that jurors could accept is that Murray, who assumed a legal obligation to care for Jackson when he became his physician, failed to perform this legal duty by deviating from standards of care required of a doctor, including, when he left him alone and unmonitored after administering propofol.

The judge asked lawyers to finish their closing arguments by the end of Thursday, so the jury could begin deliberations.
Murray, if convicted, faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...-reports-articles-Merged-No-discussion/page19


Michael Jackson doctor’s trial entering final stages as closing arguments begin Thursday in LA
By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, November 3, 7:56 AM LOS ANGELES —

Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday as the involuntary manslaughter trial against Michael Jackson’s doctor heads into its final stages before jury deliberations.

Before listening to arguments by prosecutors and defense attorneys, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will give jurors detailed instructions on how they should interpret evidence in the case and what they can and cannot consider.
Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death.
There has been no time limit announced for how long each side will argue its position, although Pastor cautioned attorneys on Tuesday to keep their final speeches focused.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren will have the first and last word during arguments as he tries to convince the jury of seven men and five women that Dr. Conrad Murray should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Walgren has cast Murray as an inept, reckless physician who was distracted on the morning of Jackson’s June 2009 death after giving the singer a powerful dose of the anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.
Prosecutors are operating on the theory that while Murray was engaged in lawful practices during his treatment of Jackson, he acted in a criminally negligent way by using propofol as an insomnia treatment without the proper staff or medical equipment, and that he botched resuscitation efforts and lied to other medical personnel about his actions.
The majority of the witnesses and evidence was presented by prosecutors, who must convince the jury unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict Murray.

Lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff is likely to argue that Jackson was responsible for his own death and took a fatal dose of propofol when Murray left his bedroom on June 25, 2009. Chernoff will also likely rely on the statements of five character witnesses, mostly former patients, to try to convince jurors that he should not be held responsible for Jackson’s death.

After Walgren’s final arguments, Pastor will offer some additional instructions and the jury’s deliberations will begin.

The panel has listened attentively throughout the six-week trial, which featured 49 witnesses and some complex medical testimony. They also heard several audio recordings, including one of Jackson himself in which his speech was slow and slurred, as well as Murray’s lengthy interview with police detectives.
It is unclear if any of those items will get a reprise during closing arguments, but Walgren told Pastor he is planning a slideshow presentation.

Murray, 58, has been stoic through most of the proceedings. He cried when one of his friends, Ruby Mosley, talked about the cardiologist founding a clinic in a poor Houston neighborhood in honor of his father.
The jury did not hear directly from Murray, who opted not to testify in his own defense.

The doctor faces up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if he’s convicted.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1/03/gIQARIDnhM_story.html?wprss=rss_national

 

[myosotis]

Lawyers Prepare to Make Closing Arguments in Murray Case
Prosecution goes firstBy Patrick Healy | Thursday, Nov 3, 2011 | Updated 1:04 AM PDT

Forty-nine witnesses over 22 days of testimony--now the opposing lawyers in the trial of Michael Jackson's personal doctor get the chance to connect the dots and tell jurors the significance of what they saw and heard.

It's no surprise that the prosecution and defense of Conrad Murray, MD will be presenting very different scenarios for Jackson's death, and different styles as well.

Lead prosecutor David Walgren is noted for his elaborate use of audio visuals.
"I expect a light and sound show from the prosecution," said Steve Levine, an attorney who has been following the trial as an analyst for NBCLA.
Walgren will re-tell the now well-known account of Dr. Murray treating Jackson's insomnia in his home with the surgical sedative propofol, along with other sedatives. The prosecution contends that on June 25, 2009, Murray left Jackson unattended on a propofol IV drip, and while Murray was out of the room, Jackson went into arrest from which he was not revived.

During trial, the defense presented an alternative scenario rejecting the drip and contending that out of Murray's view, Jackson woke up, and in desperation to sleep, gave himself the dose that proved fatal.
"The defense is going to stick to the script," said Steve Levine. At the same time, he and other analysts note the very real possibility that even if jurors conclude Jackson did give himself the fatal dose, Murray could still be convicted.
That could occur because of the nature of the involuntary manslaughter charge. If jurors find that Murray was grossly negligent in his care of Jackson, and that this was, if not the direct cause, a "significant factor" in Jackson'sdeath.

There was much back and forth as the opposing attorneys went over the language of the instructions Judge Pastor will read the jurors after final arguments. At the prosecution's urging, and over defense opposition, jurors will be told Murray is still criminally liable if Murray "should have foreseen the possibility of harm that could result from his act."

What this means is that in his closing argument Thursday, lead prosecutor David Walgren will present jurors two alternatives, two paths to conviction.
Walgren will tell jurors the evidence shows the fatal dose did come from Murray, not Jackson. Walgren will recount the highlights of the five days of testimony by the prosecution's expert anesthesiologist, Steven Shafer, MD, who set up an IV demonstration right in the courtroom.
Walgren will note that Shafer created a computer program topredict how different doses produce different levels of propofol in the blood over time. And he will remind jurors that Shafer did additional research to refute the defense theory that Jackson self-ingested.

The prosecution will attack the credibility of the defense's expert, by reminding jurors that Paul White, MD, wrote last March of the possibility that Jackson died of swallowing propofol, a theory the defense abandoned before trial. But Walgren still brought it up on examination to discredit White.

Walgren will also deal with White's attempt to refute Shafer's continuous IV drip conclusion. White said research shows the amount of propofol found in Jackson's urine was not consistent with a drip. During theprosecution's rebuttal, Shafer returned to testify that the latest research shows it is consistent, that White was relying on 23 year old research that is now outdated.
But more than that, Walgren will also focus on the evidence and expert conclusions that Murray was grossly negligent in a multitude of ways, including the administering of propofol in a home setting, failure to keep records ordoses, lack of monitoring and emergency response equipment, leaving Jackson alone, and then, after discovering Jacksonin arrest, delaying calling 911 some twenty minutes, andfailing to tell the responding paramedics and ER doctors about the propofol.
"I exepct Walgren just to hammer home all the things Dr.Murray didn't do that day, including all the lies," Levine said.

How the defense closing argument will deal with the gross negligence allegations is not at all clear. At trial, the defense never directly confronted them. The closest it came was testimony from their expert White that in some situations, "It's not always possible or commom" to live up to the formal expectations of standard of care.
What the defense can do is emphasize the testimony of former Murray patients.
"They had those great character witnesses that put a face on him," said Levine. Even a sixth patient called by the prosecution acknowledged Murray "saved my life" and was an attentive and caring doctor until he left his Las Vegas clinic to begin working for Michael Jackson fulltime.
Lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff will remind jurors that in his opening statement, he promised they would like Ruby Mosley, an 82 year old Murray patient from Houston. She indeed captivated the courtroom with her endearing and downhome style.
Murray's tears were apparent to jurors as Mosley described the medical clinic Murray set up in his father's memory in a Houston neighborhood of predominately low-income seniors.
The clear message: that Murray is a caring doctor, not in it just for the money.

But the issue in this case is the care Murray provided Michael Jackson. And the question is whether in its closing argument the defense can cultivate whatever seeds of doubt it was able to plant at trial, or whether the prosecution will leave jurors without any reasonable doubts.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/l...osing-Arguments-in-Murray-Case-133136548.html


How Jackson Jurors Will Acquit Or Convict
6:34am UK, Thursday November 03, 2011
Hannah Thomas-Peter, in Los Angeles

Dr Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. If convicted he could face up to four years in prison and lose his medical licence.
Murray has admitted giving Michael Jackson a small 25mg dose of the powerful hospital anaesthetic propofol on the day the singer died, but has denied giving him the final dose that caused the pop star's death.

When the prosecution and defence begin closing arguments later today, they will revolve around California penal code 192 (b).
It defines involuntary manslaughter as "an unlawful killing that takes place during the commission of a lawful act which involves a high risk of death or great bodily harm that is committed without due caution or circumspection".

According to the California-based Shouse law group, a company specialising in criminal defence cases: "The phrase 'without due caution and circumspection' is basically synonymous with California's legal definition of 'criminal negligence.'"
The company's definition reads: "Criminal negligence means that the death was not the result of inattention, mistaken judgment or misadventure. But rather it was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of… aggravated, reckless or negligent conduct."

According to LA criminal defence attorney Dana Cole, there are two scenarios under which the jury could possibly convict Murray, and both depend on the jury agreeing that a doctor in his position could "reasonably foresee a high risk of death".

The first is that the panel believes, beyond reasonable doubt, that Murray physically administered the final fatal dose of propofol to Jackson.
Mr Cole said: "Remember it is not beyond all doubt, or beyond any doubt, it is beyond reasonable doubt."
He explained the prosecution will hope witness testimony that Murray failed to tell paramedics and doctors he had given Jackson propofol, and that there was an empty 100ml bottle of the drug in an IV bag in the singer's room, will push the decision in their favour.
Mr Cole said: "The idea was to show to the jury that he has not told the truth to the doctors and so on, and there was this empty bottle… so why should they believe that he only gave 25mg of propofol?"

The prosecution will also hope that their star medical witness Dr Steven Shafer will have influenced the jury.
Dr Shafer told the court the idea Jackson self-administered propofol was a "crazy scenario", and the only plausible explanation for the levels of propofol in Jackson's body was that his doctor had set up an IV drip of the drug and allowed it to flow into his body without supervising him.

In response, the defence team could argue strongly that the prosecution have failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Murray administered a final fatal dose of propofol.
They may argue, for example, there has been no definitive witness testimony or evidence from the scene that proves Murray gave Jackson the drug.
The defence's star witness Dr Paul White has said he believes it is much more likely Jackson died after injecting himself too quickly with a syringe of propofol.

The second scenario is the jury decides that, even though it is not convinced Murray administered the propofol himself, merely putting Jackson in a room with access to the drug, and leaving him unsupervised constitutes an act which any doctor in the same situation could reasonably foresee would constitute a high risk of death.

In response to this, the defence may argue Jackson was a grown man with responsibility for his own actions, and Murray could not have reasonably foreseen that his patient was going to self-administer the propofol and risk his own death.

Mr Cole explained the defence team may say their client is guilty of providing care that was "improper… even negligent, but not grossly or criminally negligent".
That difference, Mr Cole explained, is the hair the defence team will hope to split in order to get Conrad Murray acquitted.

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16102264

 

[myosotis]

Conrad Murray trial: Last chance to make their case
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
LOS ANGELES (KABC) --

The prosecution and defense in the Conrad Murray trial will have one last chance to make their case during closing arguments on Thursday.
The jury was given the day off on Wednesday.

The prosecution portrayed Murray as a careless cardiologist who gave in to outrageous demands from Michael Jackson, sedating him like a surgery patient in order to help him sleep.

On the other hand, the defense described Murray as a competent and caring physician who treated patients who were too poor to pay him.
"If this man had been greedy, he never would have come to an area or community of Acres Home, 75 percent of them poor, on welfare and Social Security," Ruby Mosely, a former patient, testified.

Motive will not be factor for deliberation. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will instruct the panel about presumption of innocence, believability, conflict of testimony - among other points of law.

Throughout the trial, attorneys dueled over how Jackson got a fatal dose of the sedative propofol in his veins. The defense's propofol expert testified that Jackson could have injected it in an IV through a preloaded syringe.

The prosecution's propofol expert said such a scenario was not likely, but possible. The crux of prosecution's case is that Murray was supposed be in control of the sedative at all times.
"There was a failure to use due care or his actions fell below the standard of care, and that action ... caused the death of Michael Jackson," said legal analyst George Bird.

Descriptions of alleged failures to perform a legal duty as a licensed physician are paramount in the case. Five acts will be described regarding propofol in Jackson's bedroom: failure to use other trained medical personnel, failure to have proper monitoring equipment, failure to have constant visual monitoring, failure to have resuscitative care in case of an emergency, and failure to call 911.
According to Bird, the jury does not have to agree on all five acts - just one act.
"The jurors have to agree unanimously, all 12, on any specific act to return a verdict of guilty," Bird said.

The prosecution and defense rested their case Tuesday after 22 days of testimony. Pastor informed Murray of his constitutional right to take the stand, but Murray acknowledged that he was willingly giving up his right to testify.

Murray is on trial for involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's sudden death on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. Prosecutors allege Murray tried to hide the fact that he had been giving propofol to Jackson.
Murray, 58, has pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and lose his medical license.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8416618

 

[myosotis]

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
#MichaelJackson family present today: mother Katherine, father Joe, sister La Toya and brother Randy Jackson. #conradmurraytrial


abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge said it will take him about half an hour to read the jury instructions. Then each side will have about 1 1/2 hour for their closing.


abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge has told jurors which exhibits were accepted into the case and which were not. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge is about to read the jury instructions. He said it will take him 28 minutes and 14 seconds to read it. #conrad

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: it's up to you and you alone to decide what happened in this case. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: you must follow the law as I give you. Pay careful attention to this instructions and follow them closely.

mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
Pastors tells jurors they can't use a dictionary, Bible or any other reference book during deliberations. No search engines either

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: you may use your notes during deliberation. Keep in mind they may be inaccurate or incomplete. You can ask for read back.

mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
Judge also tells jurors that attorneys' questions and closing arguments are NOT evidence. Only witness answers are evidence.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: defendants in a criminal case are presumed to be innocent until People prove beyond a reasonable doubt he's guilty.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: witnesses testimony and exhibits are evidence. Attorneys questions to witnesses are not evidence, only their answers are.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: do not automatically reject testimony because of inconsistencies. Two people may see the same event differently.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to juror: you must decide if People has proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt in order to find defendant guilty.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: defendant has absolute constitutional right NOT to testify. You must NOT use that against him.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jurors: prosecution does not require to prove there was a motive. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge to jury: unanimity is required among the jury in at least one or more acts/failure to perform legal duty. #


Detailed Instructions followed...... (See post below for the 2 theories of involuntary manslaughter)

mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
Pastor has finished reading the instructions in less than 35 mins. Court taking a break.

mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
According to colleague Linda Deutsch, attorneys told judge that prosecution closings will be 90 mins, defense abt an hour.

 

[myosotis]

November 3, 2011
Law 101: What the jury will have to decide
Posted: 11:31 AM ET

There is only one charge for the jury to consider in the Dr. Conrad Murray's trial: involuntary manslaughter.

There are no lesser-included charges. But there are two theories of involuntary manslaughter that the jurors will consider. They can find Murray guilty of one or both theories but they must be unanimous on whatever they decide.

What does involuntary manslaughter mean?

Involuntary manslaughter is an unintentional killing without malice. Malice is when someone does something with a conscious disregard for life.


This next part gets a little complicated, but keep reading, we're going to break it down for you.
Involuntary manslaughter is committed when a defendant commits a lawful act with criminal negligence, or fails to perform a legal duty and that failure is criminally negligent, and the defendant's acts or failure to perform a legal duty unlawfully caused the death of someone else.

Here are two theories of Involuntary Manslaughter that are relevant to the Murray trial:

1. the commission of a lawful act with criminal negligence
2. failure to perform a legal duty where such failure was criminally negligent

What is an lawful act?

A lawful act is something the defendant does that does not break any laws.
In this trial, the jury will be instructed that the commission of the lawful act with criminal negligence is that Murray, a licensed physician, administered propofol to Michael Jackson.

What does it mean to fail to perform a legal duty?

In most situations people are not required to act under circumstance.

For example, if you are a regular citizen walking down the street and see someone about to jump out a window of a tall building the law doesn't require you to try to save the jumper.

But the jury in this trial will be instructed that Murray, a physician who assumed the duty of care of Michael Jackson, had a legal obligation to care for him and that the failure to perform this legal duty was committed when Murray gave Jackson propofol then left him unattended.

The prosecution is expected to argue a host of ways in which Murray was negligent in the administration of propofol and failure to perform a legal duty of care. At the charge conference on Wednesday, Nov. 1, prosecutors listed seven acts under the "lawful act" theory and 15 acts under the "failure to perform a legal duty."
Those acts or failures include:

. no other medical personnel present
. inadequate monitoring equipment
. failure to constantly monitor Jackson
. ineffective resuscitative care
. failure to call 911 immediately
. administering propofol for insomnia

NOTE: The above list is not complete, because the prosecution did not read the entire list in open court.
What does causation mean?

A critical element of involuntary manslaughter is that the negligent act or failure to perform a legal duty caused someone's death.

The instruction to the jury in this trial will include the following language:

An act (or failure to perform a legal duty) causes death if the death is a direct, natural, and probable consequence of the act (or failure to perform a legal duty) and the death would not have happened without the act (or failure to perform a legal duty). A natural and probable consequence is one that a reasonable person would know is likely to happen if nothing unusual intervenes. It's important to know that here may be more than one cause of death. An act causes death only if it is a substantial factor in causing the death. A substantial factor is more than a trivial or remote factor. However, it does not need to be the only factor that causes the death.
A special instruction to the jury, which the prosecution drafted, is expected to be read following the definition of causation. We do not have the exact language, but it deals with whether an intervening act could have been foreseen. If the intervening act (Jackson self-administering propofol) was foreseeable, then Murray can still be found guilty.

What does criminal negligence mean?

The jury instruction will include the following language:

Criminal negligence involves more than ordinary carelessness, inattention, or mistake in judgment. A person acts with criminal negligence when:

1. he acts in a reckless way that creates a high risk of death or great bodily injury; and
2. a reasonable person would have known that acting or failing to perform a legal duty in that way would create such a risk.

In other words, a person acts with criminal negligence when their behavior is so different from the way an ordinarily careful person would act in the same situation, that his act (or failure to perform a legal duty) amounts to disregard for human life or indifference to the consequences of that act (or failure to perform a legal duty).

The jury will be instructed that, in order to find Murray guilty, they must find that the prosecutors proved each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

Elements of Involuntary Manslaughter/Lawful Act Performed Negligently

1. Conrad Murray committed a lawful act but acted with criminal negligence; and
2. Conrad Murray's acts caused the death of Michael Jackson.

Elements of Involuntary Manslaughter/Failure to Perform a Legal Duty

1. Conrad Murray had a legal duty to Michael Jackson;
2. Conrad Murray failed to perform that legal duty;
3. Conrad Murray's failure was criminally negligent; and
4. Conrad Murray's failure caused the death of Michael Jackson.

Jurors must keep all that in mind and then the must be unanimous on one or both theories:

1. lawful act committed with criminal negligence or
2. failure to perform a legal duty and such failure was with criminal negligence.

If the jurors cannot reach a unanimous decision, then they are considered deadlocked, also called a hung jury. Judges encourage juries to work toward a decision, but if they absolutely can't agree, then the judge declares a mistrial. That means the case could be retried and we start all over.

Posted by: In Session's Beth Karas

http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/law-101-what-the-jury-will-have-to-decide/

 

[myosotis]

Conrad Murray Manslaughter Trial Is a Beach

The day after Conrad Murray's defense team rested their case in his manslaughter trial, the doc enjoyed a day at the beach with his girlfriend Nicole Alvarez and their son in Santa Monica on Wednesday.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin this morning -- and some experts believe there is a good chance the jury could return a verdict by the end of the week.

Last night, Conrad went to Gladstones in Malibu with some of his former patients for a fancy pre-closing arguments dinner.

We asked Murray if he regrets not testifying on his behalf ... but it was obvious what his biggest regret was ... no leftovers wrapped in those awesome tinfoil swans.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/03/conra...e-rests-closing-arguments-beach-santa-monica/

 

[myosotis]

Conrad Murray's guilt is 'abundantly clear,' prosecutor argues
By Alan Duke, CNN
November 3, 2011 -- Updated 1746 GMT (0146 HKT)

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The evidence is "overwhelming" and "it's abundantly clear" that Dr. Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, the lead prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor Thursday.

"Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said. "For them, this case doesn't end today, or tomorrow. For Michael's children, this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father, they do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray."

The 12 jurors who will soon begin deciding Murray's fate were hearing closing arguments from the prosecution and defense Thursday. Deliberations are expected to begin Friday.

In court Thursday were Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson; his father, Joe Jackson; and two of his siblings, Randy and La Toya Jackson.

Murray's mother was seated on the other side of the small courtroom with several of the defendant's friends as Walgren reminded jurors about the pain Jackson's death caused for his children.

"We will discuss how Paris had to come in and see her father in that condition and scream out 'Daddy' as she broke down in tears," Walgren said. "How Prince had a shocked face, a shocked look on his face and was crying."

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor began Thursday's court session by instructing the jury -- made up of seven men and five women -- on the law guiding the decisions they must make.

That follows 22 days of testimony from several of Murray's girlfriends and patients, Jackson employees, paramedics and emergency room doctors, investigators and medical experts.
Murray told detectives in an interview two days after Jackson's death that he had used the surgical anesthetic propofol to help Jackson sleep nearly every night for the previous two months, with the exception of his last three nights.

He was using the sedatives lorazepam and Midazolam in an effort to wean Jackson off of propofol the morning he died, Murray said. When those drugs weren't working after almost 10 hours of trying, he gave him a single injection of propofol, which did put Jackson to sleep, he said.
Jackson's death was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled.

The prosecution contends Murray's use of propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia was so reckless it was criminally negligent and caused the singer's death.
Murray failed to perform the legal obligation as a doctor because his treatment egregiously and extremely deviated from the required standard of medical care, the prosecution alleges.

The defense contends that Jackson, not Murray, administered the fatal doses of propofol and sedatives. He was so desperate for sleep, and afraid his comeback concerts would be canceled without it, that he injected himself while Murray was not watching, the defense argues.

Prosecutors say it makes no difference how the propofol got into Jackson's blood since it was Murray who brought the drugs into the bedroom and left his patient alone long enough to die.

As he began his instructions, Pastor said that the jury must unanimously agree on one of two theories in order to convict Murray on the single count of involuntary manslaughter.
The first theory is that Murray's administration of propofol to Jackson was criminally negligent and it caused Jackson's death.
Although it was legal, as a licensed doctor, for Murray to administer propofol to Jackson, they could find he was reckless in the way he did it, which created a high risk of death.

Criminal negligence requires more than just ordinary carelessness, inattention, or mistakes in judgment, the judge instructed the jurors. A reasonable person would have to have known that the action would create such a risk of death.

Prosecutors have laid out a list of acts they allege were negligent, including not having other medical staff present when propofol was used, a lack of monitoring equipment, ineffective resuscitative care when Jackson stopped breathing and a delay in calling for an ambulance.

Using propofol, which is intended to sedate surgical patients, for sleep was another egregious deviation, they argue.

The second theory that jurors could accept is that Murray, who assumed a legal obligation to care for Jackson when he became his physician, failed to perform this legal duty by deviating from standards of care required of a doctor, including, when he left him alone and unmonitored after administering propofol.

Murray, if convicted, faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/03/justice/california-conrad-murray-trial/index.html?eref=rss_crime


Prosecutor urges jury to convict Jackson’s doctor, says he took singer from his children
By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, November 3, 6:54 PM LOS ANGELES —

A prosecutor told jurors Thursday that Michael Jackson’s doctor is responsible for his death and for leaving his children without a father.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren invoked Jackson’s children early in his closing argument, saying the superstar had them in mind in his final days and they were a driving force behind his planned series of comeback concerts.
For Michael’s children, this case will go on forever because they do not have a father,” Walgren said. “They do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray.”

Walgren also recounted for jurors how Jackson’s daughter Paris came upon Murray frantically trying to revive her lifeless father and screaming, “Daddy!”

The prosecutor urged jurors to convict Murray of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009. He repeatedly called Murray’s treatment of Jackson “bizarre” and said there was no precedent for the cardiologist giving the singer a powerful anesthetic as a sleep aid.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence in this case is overwhelming,” the prosecutor said after thanking the panel for its attentiveness throughout the case.
“Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray,” he said. “He trusted him with his life.”

Murray silently watched slides shown by the prosecutor during his presentation. He has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys will lay out his version of events after the prosecutor finishes his argument.

Throughout the trial, Walgren cast Murray as an inept, reckless physician who was distracted after giving the singer a powerful dose of the anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

Walgren noted that Murray did not call 911 after finding Jackson unresponsive. Instead he called Jackson’s personal assistant, a decision the prosecutor said was just one of the doctor’s bizarre actions on the day the singer died.
“He knew his acts killed Michael Jackson,” Walgren said. “Maybe he’s panicked. Maybe he’s cleaning up ... But he’s putting Conrad Murray first. He’s intentionally not calling 911. He’s intentionally delaying help that could have saved Michael Jackson’s life.”

The prosecutor also pointed out that Murray’s own phone records contradict his statement to police that Jackson was complaining about not being able to sleep in the hours before the doctor said he gave him propofol.
Murray was on the phone when the supposed complaints from Jackson were being made, Walgren said.
“What was so pressing that he just couldn’t care for Michael Jackson?” Walgren asked without giving jurors an answer.
The prosecutor also reminded jurors that Murray never mentioned to paramedics or emergency room doctors that he had been giving Jackson propofol for roughly two months before his death.
“That is consciousness of guilt,” Walgren said. “That is Conrad Murray knowing full well what caused Michael Jackson’s death.”

Walgren told jurors that Murray ordered more than four gallons of propofol and had it shipped to his girlfriend’s Los Angeles-area apartment.
Prosecutors say Murray was engaged in a lawful practice by giving propofol to Jackson but acted in a criminally negligent way by using the drug as an insomnia treatment without the presence of proper staff or medical equipment.
They also contend Murray botched resuscitation efforts, kept no medical records and lied to other medical personnel about his actions.
The majority of the witnesses and evidence was presented by prosecutors, who must convince the entire jury beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict Murray.
Walgren also referred to a recording of Jackson found on Murray’s cellphone in which the singer’s speech was slow and slurred. The prosecutor said it was not known why Murray made the recording but that it was made “by a doctor who will not keep a shred of medical records.”

Lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff is likely to argue later in the day that Jackson was responsible for his own death and took a fatal dose of propofol when Murray left his bedroom.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave jurors instructions considering the evidence in the case and reminded them before Walgren began speaking that closing arguments are not evidence.

The seven-man, five-woman jury has listened attentively throughout the six-week trial that featured 49 witnesses and complex medical testimony. They also heard several audio recordings, including Murray’s lengthy interview with police detectives.

The jury did not hear directly from Murray, who opted not to testify in his own defense.

The doctor could faces up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if he’s convicted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1/11/03/gIQARIDnhM_story.html?wprss=rss_music


Conrad Murray Trial: The Closing Arguments (Live Feed) -- Update 1

By Kimberly Potts at TheWrap
Thu Nov 3, 2011 6:40am EDT

Update 10:41 a.m.
Prosecutor David Walgren is making a compelling final pitch to the jury with his closing argument. Walgren started with a rundown of how much Michael Jackson had trusted Conrad Murray, and how excited Jackson was for his future with his children.

Jackson had planned to settle down in one location with his children, to buy a large home, Walgren said. He pinned all of his comeback hopes on the series of sold-out concerts in London, which he also hoped would bring in enough cash so he could open his own children's hospital.
And he wanted his children to be able to see him perform at the London shows, Walgren said.

Jackson trusted Murray with his life, Walgren told the jury, and "each and every day Conrad Murray violated that trust."
"Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life. He trusted him with his own individual life and the future lives of his children … And for that, Michael Jackson paid with his life."

Previously ...
The prosecution and defense in Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial are expected to deliver their closing arguments today and send the case to the jury.

The trial was in recess on Wednesday so the lawyers could prepare to wrap up. Murray decided Tuesday not to take the witness stand to testify about his medical care of Michael Jackson.

The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication," and that sedatives were also a factor. Prosecutors contend Murray is criminally liable for Jackson's June 25, 2009 death because he recklessly administered the propofol, a potent surgical anesthetic drug, and was negligent in properly monitoring Jackson.

Murray faces up to four years in prison and loss of his medical license if convicted, though a new California law could mean his sentence would be reduced to two years and be served in a county jail.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/03/idUS172291091120111103

 

[myosotis]

L.A. NOW
Southern California -- this just in
Conrad Murray guilty even if Jackson injected himself, D.A. says
November 3, 2011 | 11:35 am

Even if Michael Jackson injected himself with the anesthetic that killed him, his personal physician was just as guilty of causing the pop star’s death, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday in closing arguments.

Deputy Dist. Atty. David Walgren said Dr. Conrad Murray’s own words should be proof of the physician’s guilt. Based on Murray’s statement to detectives that Jackson liked to “push” the drug propofol himself, he should have known the singer injecting himself was a likely consequence of leaving the star’s beside, Walgren said.
"If you believe that theory, Conrad Murray told you in his own words that it is a foreseeable consequence and that he is guilty,” the prosecutor said.

Walgren said Murray also revealed his “guilty conscience” in the moments following Jackson’s death when he hid from paramedics and emergency doctors the fact that he injected the singer with propofol.
“That is Conrad Murray knowing full well what caused Michael Jackson’s death,” Walgren said. “That is consciousness of guilt showing the defendant knew what had transpired, he knew of his guilt, and he was intentionally giving false and misleading statements.”

The prosecutor also highlighted the voice recording of Jackson found on Murray’s personal phone, describing it as “the tragic, sad voice of Michael Jackson in some sort of drug-induced, slurred stupor.”The tape, recorded a month and a half before the star’s death, showed Murray knew as early as then what effects the nightly infusions of the drug were doing to Jackson, Walgren said.

“After hearing this voice, after hearing Michael Jackson in this condition, what does Conrad Murray do? He orders the largest shipment of propofol,” the prosecutor said.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...even-if-jackson-injected-himself-da-says.html



Prosecutor slams Jackson doc at trial climax
AFP November 3, 2011 2:05 PM LOS ANGELES -
Michael Jackson's doctor was criminally negligent in the star's death, a prosecutor told the climax of Conrad Murray's manslaughter trial Thursday, saying there was an "overwhelming" case against the medic.

Presenting his closing argument to the six-week trial, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren highlighted the impact of Jackson's 2009 death on his three children.
Murray, charged with involuntary manslaughter, violated a "sacred trust" between doctor and patient, he said.
"The evidence in this case is overwhelming . . . that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father.
"For them this case doesn't end today or tomorrow or the next day, for Michael's children this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father," he said.


Murray, 58, is accused of causing Jackson's death by giving him an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, combined with other sedatives, on June 25, 2009 to help the King of Pop sleep.
The defense has argued that Jackson was a desperate drug addict who caused his own death by taking more medicines while Murray was out of the room at the star's rented mansion in Los Angeles.

But Walgren said the doctor was in charge, and could not escape the responsibility for the drugs which killed Jackson.
"A doctor has a . . . solemn obligation to first do no harm . . . Conrad Murray violated that sacred trust each and every day," he added, speaking directly to the seven-man, five-woman jury.

Walgren — who noted that jurors had listened to 49 witnesses and seen more than 330 pieces of evidence over five weeks — hammered Murray repeatedly for thinking only of his $150,000 dollar a month salary for looking after Jackson.
"At the end of the day . . . this case will come down to whether or not Conrad Murray reacted with gross negligence or criminal negligence in his treatment of Michael Jackson," he said.
Murray had a legal duty to look after the star, he said, adding: "The failure to perform that legal duty is criminally negligent."

The doctor faces up to four years in jail and could lose his medical licenses if he is found guilty of Jackson's death.
Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication" at his rented mansion in the plush Holmby Hills district outside Los Angeles, where he was rehearsing for an ill-fated series of comeback concerts in London.

After Walgren's closing argument, Murray's defense lawyer Ed Chernoff was to take the floor for the daunting task of convincing the jury that Jackson was a desperate drug addict who effectively caused his own death.

The accused doctor announced on Tuesday that he would not take the stand in his own defense at the Los Angeles Superior Court, where he has been on trial since September 27.

Murray's case was harmed by his own account of Jackson's final hours, given to police, in which he recounted giving a series of sedatives, including lorazepam and midazolam, in a vain attempt to help the star sleep.
The doctor claimed he left the star for only two minutes to go to the bathroom and returned to find Jackson not breathing.
But that account was called into question by a series of factors — not least a string of cell phone calls with women friends which Murray had at the time when Jackson was apparently on his death bed.

After the closing arguments, members of the jury — who have sat through more than five weeks of sometimes harrowing, sometimes bafflingly technical testimony — will retire to consider their verdict.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Prosecutor+slams+Jackson+trial+climax/5652487/story.html



Conrad Murray was no doctor at all, prosecutor says in urging jury for conviction in Michael Jackson’s death
Prosecutor charges Murray as 'deceived, lied, obscured'
BY Nancy Dillon NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, November 3 2011, 4:18 PM LOS ANGELES —

Dr. Conrad Murray wielded the “axe” that killed Michael Jackson, forever robbing his three children of their doting, music-icon dad, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren invoked Jackson’s now-fatherless children early and often in his closing argument at Murray’s involuntary manslaughter trial.

He charged that Murray’s "obscene experiment" with Jackson — giving him the surgery-strength anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid while at the singer's rented mansion — is the reason the kids will never again hear their father speak, much less sing or moonwalk.
Walgren painstakingly led jurors through the events of the day Jackson died in June 2009, arguing that Murray pumped Jackson with propofol and then diverted his attention to phone communication with multiple paramours.

The prosecutor said that when Murray realized Jackson wasn't breathing, his first instinct was self preservation — hiding potential medical evidence, instead of summoning help with an immediate call to 911.
Walgren said phone records show it took 20 minutes for a Jackson body guard to call paramedics — time Murray spent hoping for a "miracle" and concealing the evidence.
"He knew what he had done. He knew his axe killed Michael Jackson. Maybe he's panicked. Maybe he's still cleaning up. Maybe he's hoping some miracle befalls him and Michael Jackson is revived and no one will need to know about this,” Walgren told jurors.

“But he's putting Conrad Murray first. He is putting Conrad Murray first, and he's intentionally not calling 911.”
"We know he's capable of making a phone call," Walgren continued, referring to Murray's personal calls that morning and the cryptic message the Houston cardiologist left for Jackson's trusted assistant some 16 minutes after the singer stopped breathing.
"This is bizarre behavior — from anyone, let alone a doctor. It's extreme criminal negligence," Walgren said, cutting to the heart of the issue at question.

He then suggested Murray hid evidence in his cargo pants, showing jurors a photo of Murray wearing the baggy, pocketed trousers at UCLA Medical Center.

And Walgren dismissed as "junk science" the defense’s theory that Jackson killed himself with an extra dose of propofol while Murray was out of the room.
Walgren said Jackson knew he needed monitoring with propofol, prompting him to hire Murray in the first place.
"Michael Jackson was not reckless. Michael Jackson had a life ahead of him. Michael Jackson had three children that he loved dearly. He wanted propofol to help him sleep. He wanted a doctor with eyes on him to make sure he was safe," Walgren said.

"Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life. He paid with his life," Walgren said.
"Conrad Murray, in multiple instances, deceived, lied, obscured, but more importantly, Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence. Conrad Murray looked out for himself and himself alone; he wanted this employment."
Walgren said Murray "directly caused" Jackson's death, but that jurors only had to find him a "substantial factor" in Jackson’s death to find him guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
"Justice demands a guilty verdict," he said.

Murray, 58, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license, if convicted.
Murray's lead defense lawyer, Ed Chernoff, will present his closing argument when the seven-man, five-woman jury returns from a lunch break.

The jury has listened attentively throughout the six-week trial, which included 49 witnesses and testimony on complex medical theories.

ndillon@nydailynews.com
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/c...tion-michael-jackson-s-death-article-1.971924


..Conrad Murray Trial: Doctor Performed 'Obscene Experiment' on Jackson, Prosecutor Says (Live Feed) - Update 2
By Kimberly Potts | The Wrap – 2 hours 3 minutes ago Update, 12:59 p.m. PT

Prosecutor David Walgren presented an impassioned closing argument in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray on Thursday, accusing Murray of performing an "obscene experiment" on deceased singer Michael Jackson and lambasting key defense witness Dr. Paul White.

During his lengthy argument, Walgren cataloged the "massive quantities of propofol" that Murray had ordered while treating Jackson, which translated to just over four gallons of the anesthetic. He also attacked Murray for continually misleading others about Jackson's health issues, and dismissed Murray's contention to police that the doctor had only given Jackson enough propofol to put him out for a few minutes.

Noting that Murray, according to his own statement to police, only agreed to give Jackson propofol after Jackson agreed to cancel his concert rehearsal later in the day, Walgren contended that Murray gave him a dose of propofol intended to keep Jackson unconscious for several hours.

Walgren also attacked Murray's 20-minute-plus delay in calling 911, suggesting that the doctor put off the crucial call in order to cover his tracks.
"Conrad Murray did not call 911 because he had other things on his mind -- to protect Conrad Murray," Walgren asserted to jurors.
Characterizing Murray's willingness to treat Jackson's insomnia with propofol an "obscene experiment," Walgren called Murray's medical treatment of the singer "unethical, unconscionable, and an extreme deviation from the standard of care."

Walgren was nearly as harsh on Dr. Paul White, who served as a key expert medical witness for Murray's defense.
Painting White as someone who presented himself as an expert yet switched theories several times as each earlier theory was disproved, Walgren accused White of sloppy work and lack of diligence. "This is the level of academic research and vigor that Dr. White sullied this trial with," Walgren said, pointing to a study of oral propofol use in animals that was touted by the defense but that White, by his own admission, had essentially nothing to do with.
"What you were presented by Dr. White was junk science ... and it's sad that Dr. White came in here, for whatever motive he might have had," Walgren said, insinuating that White might have been financially motivated to testify.

"Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life; he paid with his life," Walgren concluded. "Conrad Murray in multiple instances deceived, lied [and] obscured, but more importantly Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence ... justice demands a guilty verdict."

Court is currently in court for lunch recess, after which Murray's defense team will deliver its closing argument.

Previously... Update 10:41 a.m.

Prosecutor David Walgren is making a compelling final pitch to the jury with his closing argument. Walgren started with a rundown of how much Michael Jackson had trusted Conrad Murray, and how excited Jackson was for his future with his children.
Jackson had planned to settle down in one location with his children, to buy a large home, Walgren said. He pinned all of his comeback hopes on the series of sold-out concerts in London, which he also hoped would bring in enough cash so he could open his own children's hospital.
And he wanted his children to be able to see him perform at the London shows, Walgren said.
Jackson trusted Murray with his life, Walgren told the jury, and "each and every day Conrad Murray violated that trust."
"Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life. He trusted him with his own individual life and the future lives of his children … And for that, Michael Jackson paid with his life."

The prosecution and defense in Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial are expected to deliver their closing arguments today and send the case to the jury.

The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication," and that sedatives were also a factor. Prosecutors contend Murray is criminally liable for Jackson's June 25, 2009 death because he recklessly administered the propofol, a potent surgical anesthetic drug, and was negligent in properly monitoring Jackson.
Murray faces up to four years in prison and loss of his medical license if convicted, though a new California law could mean his sentence would be reduced to two years and be served in a county jail.

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/conrad...med-obscene-experiment-jackson-200411757.html

 

[myosotis]

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Walgren: #ConradMurray gave #MichaelJackson Propofol and abandoned him, he's criminally liable, justice demands a guilty verdict!

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Judge recessing for lunch break a little later today. Trial to resume at 1:40 pm with defense closing arguments. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Court's officials tell us that if jury arrives at a verdict late in the day, judge will NOT delay reading it to the next day.

InSession In Session
#MichaelJackson fans lined up along the length of the hallway and erupted in cheers and applause as Walgren exited the courtroom.


abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
#BREAKINGNEWS Both sides gave closing statements. Judge instructing jury. They now deliberate to reach verdict #MurrayTrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Jurors are ordered to arrive at court tomorrow at 830a PT for 1st day of deliberations #MurrayTrial


mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
Out of the courtroom. judge says we will have a 2 hours heads up when verdict is reached.

 

[myosotis]

People vs. Conrad Murray: Defense's Closing Arguments The Blow-by-Blow Ed Cherfnoff -- Defense Attorney's Closing Arguments
Updated 11/03/11 at 1:30 PM

Defense Attorney Ed Chernoff just began his closing arguments to the jury.
Chernoff said the prosecution failed to prove a crime was committed.

* Murray made mistakes. But this is not a civil case. For a crime to be committed, the prosecution has to show Murray killed MJ.
* Chernoff tried to discredit Alberto Alvarez testimony. He said it didn't make sense that Murray would ask him hide evidence when they barely knew each other.
* Alvarez testified he grabbed the IV bag with both his hands ... but none of his fingerprints were found on the bag.
* Alvarez also said he noticed a milky substance in the IV bag, but no traces of Propofol were found inside the bag.
* There are no photos showing a vial inside an IV bag. The coroner investigator testified she took the vial out of the bag BEFORE taking a picture.
* LAPD detective Scott Smith also testified he never saw a vial in a bag.

* Murray didn't need to create an elaborate IV set up -- placing a vial inside an empty bag -- when he could have just used the hanging tab on the bottle.
* The tubing found in MJ's bedroom did not have any Propofol in it.
* Shafer is not an investigator he is a computer analysts working for the prosecution.
* Good scientists don't take positions. Shafer had an agenda. He was trying to make a point. Dr. White knows more about Propofol than Dr. Shafer will ever know. White told the truth.
* Shafer's simulations had nothing to do with the case. Why would he do that? Because when you go backwards trying to figure out what happened... there are a million possibilities. But Shafer demonstrated what happened as if he were a cop.
* Even though there was Lorazepam found in MJ's stomach, Shafer never explained how it got there because it didn't fit his theory.
* There are 2 reasonable scenarios for what happened and if that's the case, the jury should acquit.
* Chernoff asked the jury, "If it were anyone else other than Michael Jackson, Would the doctor be here today?"
* Chernoff told the jury in order to convict they have to believe Murray had disregard for human life ... he reminded them all of Murray's patients testified he was a caring doctor.
* The prosecution argued the reason the IV tubing was not found at the scene was because Murray bundled it up and stuck it in the pocket of his baggy cargo pants. But Chernoff argued he could have taken anything, why would he choose the tubing?
* Murray's biggest personality defect is his greatest strength. He thought he could help MJ. He was wrong. "He was a little fish in a big dirty pond," he said.
* Murray didn't call 911 because he was busy trying to save MJ's life. He immediately tried CPR ... when that didn't work he injected him with Flumazenil. He then asked MJ's chef to call for help.
* The 911 call was 163 seconds. Had Murray used that time to call 911 instead of reviving MJ, the prosecution would have argued THAT was a deviation of the standard of care.
* The prosecution says everything Murray did was a deviation from the standard of care because they're out to get Murray.
* There is a tremendous desire to paint Murray as a villain. There is no perfect villain or perfect victim. The prosecution showed surveillance footage of Murray leaving the ER ... suggesting he was on the run... even though he was only headed to another part of the hospital to help the family draft a press release.
* Chernoff agreed that giving Propofol in a home setting may be inappropriate but said Murray never gave MJ any illegal drugs or controlled substances.
* Dr. Alon Steinberg's testimony that leaving MJ in that room was equivalent to leaving a baby on a kitchen countertop was insulting. MJ was a grown up man who made his own decision.
* MJ didn't die of Propofol alone. He died of Propofol and a lot of Lorazepam. Are we going to
* Chernoff asked jurors not to hold Murray responsible because it's Michael Jackson, saying, "it's not a reality show."

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/03/conrad-murray-closing-arguments-defense/?adid=recentlyupdatedstories

 

[myosotis]

Michael Jackson - Conrad Murray's Attorney Claims Crime Cannot Be Proved
03 November 2011 10:21:25 PM

Dr. Conrad Murray's defence attorney Ed Chernoff has claimed the prosecution in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson cannot ''prove'' a crime.

Summing up his closing argument in court today (03.11.11), Chernoff told the jury they had an important job in deciding if Dr. Murray was guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of the 'Thriller' singer, who died of an overdose of Propofol in June 2009.

He said: "Mr. Walgren's argument is exactly why, in this country, we have the right to a jury trial. Because no matter what misleading or inaccurate things a prosecutor says, in this country, it's the jury who gets to take the evidence back, it's the jury who gets to look at the evidence and it's the jury that gets to analyse the charge.

"And the reason they have refused to accept it is because they won't tell you what they really want. [The prosecution] want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson. They just don't want to tell you that."

He continued in his direct speech, telling the jury: "Dr. Murray did not kill Michael Jackson. They can't prove a crime. And they really need to prove a crime."

Chernoff added the most likely explanation was that the star "went into his personal bathroom and swallowed Lorazepam and Dr. Murray didn't know."

Dr. Murray pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and may face up to four years in prison if he is found guilty.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news/conrad-murrays-attorney-claims-crime-cannot-be-proved_1255037


Conrad Murray 'should not be prosecuted for Michael Jackson's actions'
Michael Jackson caused his own death with an overdose of an anaesthetic and Dr Conrad Murray should not be convicted of his death, his lawyer said.

By Nick Allen, Los Angeles
10:50PM GMT 03 Nov 2011
Summing up for the defence, Dr Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff told the jury:

“The prosecution are asking you to convict Conrad Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson.
“Somebody’s got to say it. If it was anybody else but Michael Jackson would this doctor be here today?”
He urged the jury to closely consider Murray's lengthy interview with police and said his words show he did not give Jackson the deadly dose.

Earlier, the prosecution argued Dr Murray violated the "hallowed" bond of trust between doctor and patient.
In his closing speech at the end of a five week trial prosecutor David Walgren told a jury that Dr Murray was guilty of "gross negligence" and had left the singer's children Prince, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket, nine, fatherless.

Dr Murray, who denies a single charge of involuntary manslaughter, is accused of causing Jackson's death on June 25, 2009 by giving him propofol, a surgical anaesthetic intended only for use in hospitals, in the bedroom of his Los Angeles mansion.

Mr Walgren told the jury of seven men and five women that Jackson "paid with his life" for the criminal negligence of Dr Murray.
"The evidence in this case is overwhelming. It is absolutely clear that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince and Paris and Blanket without a father.
"For them this case does not end today, tomorrow or the next day. For Michael Jackson's children this case will go on forever because they do not have a father."

Mr Walgren said in order to convict the doctor the jury would only have to conclude that he was a "substantial factor" in Jackson's death, not that he was the only factor.
He reminded jurors that they had heard from other doctors who would have "walked away" from treating Jackson, who suffered from chronic insomnia and used propofol to sleep.

Mr Walgren said: "A doctor has a solemn obligation first to do no harm to their patient. Conrad Murray violated that sacred duty each and every day.

"Conrad Murray sought payment for services rendered, the services being supplying propofol to Michael Jackson in his bedroom nightly for two months."
He said Dr Murray had an "employer, employee relationship" with the singer which breached the proper doctor and patient relationship.
Dr Murray felt he had "hit the lottery" when Jackson employed him for $150,000 (£93,000) a month and was motivated by money, he said.
Mr Walgren added: "Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray, trusted him with his life, trusted him with the future lives of his children, trusted that as he slept Conrad Murray would watch over him so that when he awoke he could share a meal with his children. Conrad Murray corrupted that relationship and Michael Jackson paid with his life."

Jackson was rehearsing for a record-breaking 50-date comeback series of concerts at the O2 Arena in London when he died.
Mr Walgren described how the singer was "dancing energetically" at a rehearsal in Los Angeles on the evening of June 24 but 12 hours later "lay in his bed palms up his head tilted, dead."
He said Jackson had "absolutely" been anxious about the tour but wanted to do it so his children could see him perform for the first time. Mr Walgren said: "Michael Jacskon had hopes and plans and dreams."

The trial has heard from 49 witnesses over 22 days of evidence. Dr Murray has admitted giving Jackon a "small" 25mg dose of propofol.

The defence has claimed that Jackson must have injected himself with a further dose while Dr Murray was out of the room, accidentally taking his own life as he tried to put himself to sleep.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...-prosecuted-for-Michael-Jacksons-actions.html

 

[myosotis]

Conrad Murray's Fate Is Now in Jury's Hands
By Howard Breuer
Thursday November 03, 2011 07:05 PM EDT

A prosecutor Thursday asked jurors to convict Dr. Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter for conducting what he called "an obscene experiment" that killed Michael Jackson.

During closing arguments in the nearly six-week trial, Deputy Los Angeles District Attorney David Walgren said that Murray was not so much a doctor to Jackson as an employee. As such, Murray provided a service: administering the dangerous anesthetic propofol all night, every night, in Jackson's bedroom.
Walgren says that when the medical misadventure went awry on June 25, 2009 and Jackson stopped breathing, Murray delayed calling 911 so he could cover up the crime scene. Then, says the prosecutor, Murray withheld the fact that propofol was even involved from paramedics and emergency room doctors.

"Conrad Murray chose not to call 911 because he had other things on his mind – protecting Conrad Murray," Walgren told the seven men and five women on the jury. "He knew of his guilt and he was intentionally giving false and misleading statements."

It was an intense climax to the long-anticipated trial, and dozens of Jackson fans from around the world lined the courthouse hallway Thursday.

Inside Judge Michael Pastor's courtroom, Jackson's mother, Katherine and sister La Toya dabbed away tears as Walgren recalled the emotional impact of Jackson's death on the pop star's three children, who had been looking forward to seeing their father perform a 50-concert extravaganza in London.
"Paris … screamed, 'Daddy!' as she broke down in tears. Prince had a shocked look on his face and was crying," Walgren said. "This what Conrad Murray did not just to Michael Jackson, but to his children."

But lead Murray defense attorney Ed Chernoff countered that the prosecution built a criminal case with no real evidence of a crime, and then tried to make the circumstances seem egregious, because the victim was a huge celebrity. He said there was ample evidence that Jackson gave himself extra doses of propofol and "a load of" the sedative lorazepam.
"They're asking you to convict Conrad Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff said. "We've been dancing around it for two years. If it were anybody [other] than Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?"

He also accused the prosecution of playing on the jury's sympathies by unnecessarily identifying Jackson's children and discussing their reactions. He also said they demonized Murray by forcing his attractive, young mistress to testify needlessly about how the propofol was shipped to her Santa Monica apartment.

"There's no perfect villain and no perfect victim," Chernoff said. "I want you to take this case away from Michael Jackson. Let's put it in a psych hospital, into a hospital where a patient breaks into a cabinet; into a family situation where somebody overdoses. But if you're going to hold Dr. Murray responsible, don't do it because it's Michael Jackson."
"This isn't reality TV, this is reality, and the decisions you make will affect real human beings and the people who love them."

A verdict could come as soon as Friday.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20542618,00.html


Conrad Murray Trial Goes to Jury
Published: November 03, 2011 @ 6:49 am
It's all in the people's hands now.

The involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray went to jury Thursday, following passionate closing arguments from prosecutor David Walgren and defense attorney Ed Chernoff.

During closing arguments, Walgren accused Murray of performing an "obscene experiment" on Jackson for treating his insomnia with propofol. He also slammed defense witness Paul White, accusing his of foisting "junk science" on the court.

Chernoff, meanwhile, maintained that Jackson was responsible for his own death. During a rambling closing argument, he also suggested that Jackson's celebrity status was the only reason that the case went to court.
"If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?" Chernoff asked.

UPDATE, 4:08 p,m. PTConrad Murray's defense attorney, Ed Chernoff, delivered the defense's closing argument during Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial Thursday, arguing that the singer had caused his own death, and suggesting that Murray was being vilified because people want someone to pay for the death of music icon Jackson.

Chernoff began by admitting that Murray had made mistakes during his treatment of Jackson -- including administering propofol to the singer in his home -- but argued that none of the mistakes added up to criminal negligence that directly caused the singer's death.
"This case that you're deciding, it isn't a medical board hearing, it's not a civil lawsuit," Chernoff told jurors. "It isn't about money, it's about liberty, and in order for a crime to be proved, you have to show that Dr. Murray killed Michael Jackson."

Throughout his argument, Chernoff accused defense of inventing a propofol drip where none was found, contending that the only way Murray could be found responsible for Jackson's death is if Murray had delivered the propofol via a drip, instead of the 25 milligram injection he told police he gave him.

Throughout the trial, defense has maintained that Jackson self-administered the dose of drugs that killed him, and that theory ran through Chernoff's closing argument Thursday.
"They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson, they just won't tell you that," Chernoff told the jurors.
"Ws Dr. Murray supposed to watch Michael Jackson to save him from himself at all times?" Chernoff later asked.

Chernoff also attacked the integrity of Jackson's former security guard, Alberto Alvarez, who placed the 911 call and testified that Murray had instructed him to stash incriminating evidence in Jackson's bedroom, including an IV bag with a slit in it containing a bottle of propofol. Chernoff accused Alvarez of sexing up his story in order to command a higher interview fee.

"Do you honestly believe that Alberto Alvarez is not going to cash in?" Chernoff asked.
The defense attorney also questioned Alvarez's timeline, saying it would be "impossible" for him to accomplish all of the tasks he said he did in the approximately 40 seconds between entering Jackson's bedroom and making the 911 call.

http://www.thewrap.com/music/column...-make-their-closing-arguments-live-feed-32434


Case against Michael Jackson’s doctor goes to jury; deliberations to begin Friday
By Associated Press, Published: November 3LOS ANGELES —

The case of Michael Jackson’s doctor was placed in a jury’s hands Thursday after contentious legal arguments over who was to blame for the superstar’s death — the celebrity who craved sleep at any cost or the doctor accused of providing the drugs that killed him.

In final statements delivered in a packed courtroom, a defense attorney cast Dr. Conrad Murray as a victim of Jackson’s celebrity, saying he would never have been charged with involuntary manslaughter if his patient was someone other than Jackson.
“They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson,” attorney Ed Chernoff said. “This is not a reality show. It is reality.”

Prosecutor David Walgren portrayed Murray as a liar and greedy opportunist who put his own welfare before that of Jackson.
“Conrad Murray is criminally liable for the death of Michael Jackson,” he told jurors. “Not because it was Michael Jackson but because Conrad Murray is guilty of criminal negligence.”

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor submitted the case to jurors after a full day of arguments and told them to begin deliberations Friday.

If convicted, Murray could receive a minimum sentence of probation or a maximum of four years. He would be unlikely to serve that much time, however, because of jail overcrowding.

Earlier, Walgren, in a carefully structured argument enhanced by video excerpts of witness testimony, spoke of the special relationship between a doctor and patient and said Murray had corrupted it by giving Jackson the anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

He ridiculed the defense theory that Jackson had injected himself with the fatal dose of the anesthetic and denounced the testimony of defense expert Paul White who blamed Jackson for his own death.
“What you were presented by Dr. White was junk science. It was garbage science,” Walgren said.

Chernoff countered that Dr. Steven Shafer, a propofol expert who testified that evidence showed Murray killed Jackson, was wrong and overstepped his role as a scientist by becoming an advocate for Murray’s conviction.

He said Shafer ignored Murray’s statement to police in which the physician said he gave the singer a small dose of propofol and left the room after the drug should have worn off.

Walgren also projected images of Jackson’s grief-stricken children on a giant screen and told jurors that Murray took away their father.
With Jackson’s mother and siblings watching from the courtroom gallery, Walgren showed a photo of Jackson at his last rehearsal before the picture of the three Jackson children — Prince, Paris and Blanket — at their father’s memorial.
He also reminded jurors of the scene in Jackson’s bedroom when Paris came upon Murray frantically trying to revive her lifeless father and screamed, “Daddy!”
“For Michael Jackson’s children this case goes on forever because they do not have a father,” Walgren said.

The prosecutor repeatedly called Murray’s treatment of Jackson bizarre and said there was no precedent for the cardiologist giving the singer propofol to help him sleep.
Still, Jackson trusted him and that eventually cost the singer his life, Walgren said.

“Conrad Murray looked out for himself and himself alone,” the prosecutor said.
Walgren said Murray was more concerned with earning $150,000 a month as Jackson’s personal physician and traveling to London for his “This Is It” concert than with the welfare of his patient.

He cited evidence showing Murray did not call 911 after finding Jackson unresponsive. Instead he called Jackson’s personal assistant, a decision the prosecutor said was just one of the doctor’s bizarre actions on the day the singer died.
He suggested Murray delayed the call until he could hide medical equipment and bottles that might incriminate him.
Evan after paramedics arrived, the doctor made no mention of giving Jackson propofol because of “a consciousness of guilt,” Walgren said.

The prosecutor also played statements of several doctors who testified that they would never have agreed to give Jackson propofol for insomnia in a private home.
“The setting represents an extreme violation of the standard of care,” Walgren said. “No one ever did it until it was done to Michael Jackson. It is gross negligence and it is a cause of Michael Jackson’s death.”
At one point, Walgren suggested Murray was conducting “an obscene experiment” on Jackson.

Chernoff contended that prosecutors hadn’t proven that Murray committed a crime by giving Jackson doses of propofol in the singer’s bedroom. He also suggested multiple prosecution witnesses had lied and that Shafer was “a cop” with an agenda.

The prosecutor responded with sarcasm to Chernoff’s claim that Murray was the victim in the case and listed an array of witnesses who had been blamed by the defense.
“Poor Conrad Murray,” he said repeatedly in a mocking tone. “Everyone is just allied against him.”
Walgren told jurors the case is not complicated.
“What’s unusual,” he said, “is that Michael Jackson lived as long as he did under the care of Conrad Murray.”

With only Jackson and Murray present in the singer’s room on the day he died, there are things that will never be known about his death, Walgren said. But he said it was clear that Murray, untrained in anesthesiology, was incompetent.
“The people won’t prove exactly what happened behind those closed doors,” he said. “Michael Jackson could give answers, but he is dead.””

AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney contributed to this report.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...sday-in-la/2011/11/03/gIQARIDnhM_story_1.html


Jury deliberations start Friday in Conrad Murray trial
By Alan Duke, CNN
November 4, 2011 -- Updated 0733 GMT (1533 HKT)

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The evidence is "overwhelming" and "it's abundantly clear" that Dr. Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, the lead prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor Thursday.

Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff argued there was no crime committed and it's a negligence case that should instead be heard by the state medical board.
"If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?" Chernoff asked.

The jury heard several hours of arguments from both sides Thursday and will begin deliberations on Murray's fate Friday morning.

"He was just a little fish in a big, dirty pond," Chernoff said, pointing the finger at other doctors who treated Jackson and Jackson himself.

Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled.

Prosecutors contend Murray's use of the surgical anesthetic propofol in Jackson's home to treat his insomnia was so reckless it was criminally negligent.

The defense contends Jackson self-administered the fatal overdose of drugs in a desperate search for sleep without Murray's knowing.

"What they're really asking you to do is to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff said.

After Chernoff finished his arguments, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren attacked the defense for trying to blame "everybody but Conrad Murray, poor Conrad Murray."
"If allowed more time to argue, I am sure they would find a way to blame Michael's son, Prince," Walgren said in his rebuttal after Chernoff sat down.

Walgren began his closing arguments earlier Thursday, reminding jurors of the personal pain caused by Jackson's death.
"Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father," Walgren said. "For them, this case doesn't end today, or tomorrow. For Michael's children, this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father, they do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray."

In court Thursday were Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson; his father, Joe Jackson; and two of his siblings, Randy and La Toya Jackson.
Murray's mother was seated on the other side of the small courtroom with several of the defendant's friends as Walgren reminded jurors about the pain Jackson's death caused for his children.

"We will discuss how Paris had to come in and see her father in that condition and scream out 'Daddy!' as she broke down in tears," Walgren said. "How Prince had a shocked face, a shocked look on his face and was crying."

Walgren reminded jurors that they each assured him during jury selection that they could reach a verdict even if they did not hear all of the answers about how Jackson died.

"There may be 100 questions and maybe 97 of them are left unanswered, but under the law you must answer just three," Walgren said.

Telephone records and testimony suggested Murray was talking to Sade Anding, a Houston cocktail waitress, at the time he realized Jackson had stopped breathing. Murray's call to Anding was evidence that Murray was not monitoring him after giving him propofol.
"What was so important to Conrad Murray that he had to call Sade Anding at that time? What was so important to this doctor that he needed to call one of his female friends in Houston? What was so pressing that he just couldn't care for Michael Jackson, that he had to call Sade Anding?"

Walgren said it will never be known how long Jackson had not been breathing when Murray dropped the phone in the middle of his conversation with Anding.
"Was Conrad Murray in another room? Did Michael Jackson yell out for help? Did he gasp? Did he choke? Were there sounds? We don't know and we'll never know, because of the neglect and negligence of Conrad Murray."

Walgren questioned why Murray waited at least 20 minutes after he found Jackson was not breathing before he asked a security guard call for an ambulance.
The delay was an extreme deviation from the standard of care required of a doctor, and the failure to act was criminally negligent, he argued.

"The most common sense thing that we all learn as young children that you call 911," he said. Murray's delay contributed to Jackson's death, he argued.
"To speak to a 911 operator was the only hope of Michael Jackson being revived to see another day," Walgren said.
Walgren said Murray's delay was because he was "putting Conrad Murray first."
"What on earth would motivate a medical doctor to delay making that call, other than to protect himself, other than sheer self-preservation, putting Conrad Murray first, putting Michael Jackson and his life last," Walgren said.
Paramedics arrived just four minutes after the call, but too late to save Jackson, he said.

Chernoff argued that Murray depended on chef Kai Chase to send up a security guard while he was trying to revive Jackson, but she only sent son Prince.

Dr. Murray spoke with police two days after Jackson's death "to get ahead of the story," because he knew there would be toxicology reports showing he died from propofol and sedatives, Walgren said.
"Unfortunately, his version doesn't match up with the evidence, the phone records, the e-mails, but he knew what toxicology findings would show," Walgren said.

Walgren argued that until the Murray case, no one ever heard of propofol being used this way. He called it "a pharmaceutical experiment on Michael Jackson ... an obscene experiment."

Walgren attacked Dr. Paul White, the defense propofol expert, for his determination "to find a theory or way to blame it on Michael Jackson."
White testified that the levels of propofol and sedatives found in Jackson's stomach, blood and urine during the autopsy convinced him that Jackson swallowed a large does of lorazepam and later gave himself with a rapid injection of propofol, which led to his death.
"What you were presented from Dr. White was junk science," Walgren said.

"It is sad that Dr. White came in here, for whatever motive he may have had, for whatever financial considerations he did not share, we don't know," he said.

White acknowledged that he is normally paid $3,500 a day for his services as an expert witness.
Chernoff defended his expert and attacked prosecution anesthesiology expert Dr. Steve Shafer, saying Shafer was "not a scientist, he was an advocate. He was trying to prove a point; he was trying to prove a case."

"Dr. White knows more about propofol than Dr. Shafer will ever, ever know," Chernoff said.

Shafer testified that the "only scenario" in Jackson's death was one involving an intravenous drip system infusing a steady flow of propofol into Jackson over several hours before his death.

Chernoff attacked what he said were weaknesses in the prosecution's argument that Murray placed Jackson on an IV drip of propofol the morning he died.

"The prosecution desperately needed a drip," Chernoff said, because they couldn't prove there was a crime without it.
The single injection of propofol that Murray told police he gave Jackson would have been out of his system well before the time he found him in distress, Chernoff said.
"If Dr. Murray did what he said he did, there was no danger to Michael Jackson," Chernoff said. "Michael Jackson was not going to die and it doesn't matter if you leave the room and go outside and play basketball,

"Without a drip, what Dr. Murray gave Michael Jackson would not have harmed him," he said.

Chernoff attacked the credibility of Alberto Alvarez, Jackson's former bodyguard, who testify that he saw a propofol bottle inside an empty saline bag suspended on an IV stand by Jackson's bed.
The two months Alvarez waited after Jackson's death to tell police about the bottle in a bag, the lack of his fingerprints on the bag he said he held, and his description of the bag having a milky substance in it, when no drugs were detected, make his testimony questionable, Chernoff said.

Alavarez, who placed the 911 call from Jackson's bedroom, also testified he helped remove Jackson from the bed and performed CPR on him, but a paramedic contradicted that testimony.
Chernoff suggested Alvarez embellished his story to make it more valuable.
"All the sudden, his story becomes monumentally more compelling and more valuable,"
Alvarez acknowledged he turned down a $500,000 offer for an interview, he said.
"Do you honestly believe that Alberto Alvarez is not going to cash in?"

A coroner's investigator and a police detective who found the saline bag and propofol bottle never took a photo of them together or made a note about the bottle being inside the bag, Chernoff said, "because he didn't see it, because it wasn't there."

Chernoff argued the "bottle in a bag" theory was even less believable because the propofol bottle had a plastic strapped attached to it so it can be hung from an IV stand. That strip was never used, both sides agreed.
"Dr. Murray didn't have to go through the ridiculous, absurd step of cutting a bag, propping it up into a cut IV bag, hanging it up where it could fall," Chernoff said.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor began Thursday's court session by instructing the jury -- made up of seven men and five women -- on the law guiding the decisions they must make.

Pastor said that the jury must unanimously agree on one of two theories in order to convict Murray on the single count of involuntary manslaughter.

The first theory is that Murray's administration of propofol to Jackson was criminally negligent and it caused Jackson's death.

Although it was legal, as a licensed doctor, for Murray to administer propofol to Jackson, they could find he was reckless in the way he did it, which created a high risk of death.

Criminal negligence requires more than just ordinary carelessness, inattention, or mistakes in judgment, the judge instructed the jurors. A reasonable person would have to have known that the action would create such a risk of death.

Prosecutors have laid out a list of acts they allege were negligent, including not having other medical staff present when propofol was used, a lack of monitoring equipment, ineffective resuscitative care when Jackson stopped breathing and a delay in calling for an ambulance.

Using propofol, which is intended to sedate surgical patients, for sleep was another egregious deviation, they argue.

The second theory that jurors could accept is that Murray, who assumed a legal obligation to care for Jackson when he became his physician, failed to perform this legal duty by deviating from standards of care required of a doctor, including, when he left him alone and unmonitored after administering propofol.

Murray, if convicted, faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/03/j...d-murray-trial/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

 

[LastTear]

Key Moments from Michael Jackson Death Trial

Judgment day is nearing for Dr.Conrad Murray in the Michael Jackson death trial as the jury is about to begin its deliberations.

Judge Michael Pastor told the jury to find Murray guilty, they must determine that he committed a lawful act with criminal negligence or failed due to criminal negligence to perform a legal duty.

Criminal negligence involved acting in a reckless way that creates a high risk of death or serious injury or acting in a way that a reasonable person would not.

The prosecution scored a huge victory when the judge agreed over defense objections to allow the jurors to convict Murray even if they believe the defense theory that the singer injected himself after the doctor left the room.

Murray is still criminally liable, the judge said, "if the defendant should have foreseen the possibility of harm that could result from his act."

Over the six-week trial, the jurors heard from 49 witnesses, listened to a tape of a drugged-up Michael Jackson, and saw photos of a dead Jackson on a hospital gurney. They did not, however, hear from Murray, who on Tuesday invoked his constitutional right to remain silent.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment...h-conrad-murray-manslaugter/story?id=14873219

 

[LastTear]

Dr. Murray Trial
'Poor Conrad Murray ...'
Prosecutor David Walgren is attacking with sarcasm in his closing statement rebuttal ... telling the jury, "Poor Conrad Murray ... everyone is just working against him."

Walgren says Dr. Murray's treatment of Michael Jackson was littered with, "bizarre, unethical, unconscionable behavior" ... adding, "That is why we are here."

Walgren says the defense team is blaming EVERYONE but the doc -- mocking the defense for suggesting a "conspiracy" against the doctor.

"Everyone's to blame but Conrad Murray ... poor Conrad Murray."

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/03/dr-murray-david-walgren/

 

[myosotis]

Jurors to begin deliberating case against Michael Jackson’s doctor after daylong arguments

By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, November 4, 7:53 AM LOS ANGELES —

After six weeks of listening, jurors in the involuntary manslaughter case of Michael Jackson’s doctor will get their first chance to talk about the case Friday.

Their discussions behind closed doors in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse could lead to the conviction or acquittal of Dr. Conrad Murray, whom the panel has heard described alternately as an inept and opportunistic physician or a naïve outsider granted access into Jackson’s inner realm.

The seven-man, five-woman panel listened intently Thursday as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over whether Murray should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson’s death in June 2009. The physician’s attorneys attacked prosecutors and their witnesses, saying they had over time developed stories and theories that placed the blame for Jackson’s death squarely on Murray.

Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol, which Murray acknowledged giving Jackson to help him sleep.

The real reason Jackson died, defense attorney Ed Chernoff argued, was because he craved the powerful anesthetic so much that he gave himself a fatal injection when Murray left his bedside.
“They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson,” Chernoff said.

“Poor Conrad Murray,” prosecutor David Walgren replied in his final speech to jurors. “Michael Jackson is dead. And we have to hear about poor Conrad Murray and no doctor knows what it’s like to be in his shoes.”

Walgren noted that several doctors who testified — including two who were called by Murray’s attorneys — said they would have never given the singer anesthesia in his bedroom.

Murray is solely to blame for Jackson’s death, Walgren argued, saying Murray had purchased more than four gallons of propofol to administer to Jackson and had been giving him nightly doses to help him sleep.

Walgren repeatedly described Murray’s treatments on Jackson as unusual and called his actions on the day of the singer’s death — including not calling 911 and not mentioning his propofol doses to paramedics or other doctors — “bizarre.”

Murray was essentially experimenting on Jackson, Walgren said. Murray should have known Jackson might die from the treatments, yet he lacked the proper life-saving and monitoring equipment.

“What is unusual and unpredictable is that Michael Jackson lived as long as he did under the care of Conrad Murray in this situation,” Walgren said.

The prosecutor repeatedly invoked the singer’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, and said Murray’s actions left them without a father. The children, who range in ages from 9 to 14, were not present, but Jackson’s parents and several of his siblings attended closing arguments.

The Houston-based cardiologist’s culpability will be decided by jurors, who heard from 49 witnesses and have more than 300 pieces of evidence to consider. They were given lengthy instructions about how to deliberate and interpret the case.

If Murray is convicted, he faces a sentence that ranges from probation to four years behind bars, and he would lose his medical license. The sentence will be decided by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor and not the jury; the judge will receive input from attorneys for both sides and probation officials if necessary. A recent change in California law means that Murray, 58, might serve any incarceration in a county jail rather than a state prison.

If acquitted, Murray would be free from criminal prosecution, but will likely be pursued by medical licensing authorities in the states of California, Nevada and Texas.

In order to convict Murray, jurors will have to determine the cardiologist was substantially responsible for Jackson’s death.

Despite days of scientific testimony about what likely happened in Jackson’s bedroom from experts for Murray and the prosecution, Walgren acknowledged that some things about the events in the King of Pop’s bedroom that led to his death will never be known.

“The people won’t prove exactly what happened behind those closed doors,” he said. “Michael Jackson could give answers, but he is dead.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1/04/gIQAq5YykM_story.html?wprss=rss_national

 

[LastTear]

Conrad Murray
Don't Worry ...
I'm Optimistic

Dr. Conrad Murray is "optimistic" about his chances for acquittal ... this according to people close to the doc.

Murray spent last night at home, with his baby mama Nicole Alvarez and their child. Murray says he has faith the jury will not come to the conclusion he caused Michael Jackson's death.

Murray has been the poster child for projecting innocence during a criminal trial, frequently seen strolling in Santa Monica and appearing carefree. Two nights ago, he went to a popular Malibu restaurant with some of his patients.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/04/conrad-murray-trial-michael-jackson-optimistic-acquittal/

 

[LastTear]

• The tragic doctor seduced by the Hollywood life who forgot his duty
  
  04 NOVEMBER 2011 <!-- fotos izquierda --><!-- // fotos izquierda -->"He was just a little fish in a big dirty pond."
  
  This was the view put forward by Doctor Conrad Murray's defence council as the manslaughter trial into the death of Michael Jackson drew to a close.
  
  
  What's clear was that this was a man who was adored by his former patients, one of whom took the stand, pointed to him, and said: "I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for that man."
  
  But he was not your typical small town GP.
  
  This is was the man who became the trusted physician of the biggest artist of the 21st century, netting himself a $150,000-a-month salary in doing so.
  
  During the course of the trial it emerged he used it to sustain seven children and a wife and multiple girlfriends – many of whom he lavished with gifts.
  
  One, former waitress and actress Nicole Alvarez, described how she had been "star struck" when Dr Conrad took her to meet Michael.
  
  
  
  Living the Hollywood high life, the physician had come a long way since he started out as a hardworking and ambitious student in Barbados.
  
  Born in Grenada, Conrad was brought up by his grandparents on the small Caribbean island before following his absent father – also a doctor – to America.
  
  He enrolled at Texas Southern University, graduating three years later with a degree in pre-medicine. After completing his studies in Nashville, Tennessee, he trained in California and the University of Arizona where he studied cardiology.
  
  
  He opened his own private clinic in LA in 2000 and later opened one in a deprived area in Texas, in memory of his late father.
  
  The elder physician took pride in servicing both ends of the community and his son did the same.
  
  Indeed, at his trial several of his patients told how he regularly offered services free of charge to the poor.
  
  One character witness, Dennis Hix, said the doctor carried out a series of live-saving operations to his arteries, even though his insurance did not cover the cost.
  
  
  "When I went and told him I didn't have the sort of insurance to pay for hardly anything, he did it for me for free," he said.
  
  But it seems the doctor's good reputation was tarnished by outstanding debts and tax demands. According to reports he filed for bankruptcy in California in 2002.
  
  There was also evidence of a troubled personal life and an inability to keep up with his numerous child support payments.
  
  Doctor Murray was arrested on domestic abuse charges in 1994 involving his then girlfriend.
  
  The case went to trial and it was aquitted, though the doctor has been ordered to jail twice over non-payment of child support.
  
  In 2009 and 2007 he was sentenced to 10 and 25 days respectively for charges relating to the son he fathered in California with Nenita Malibiran.
  
  He avoided jail each time by managing to come up with the money befre the sentences could be carried out.
  
  In light of the physician's financial struggles, Michael Jackson could have seemed like the answer to his problems.
  
  They became friends after meeting in Las Vegas in 2006, and the superstar hired him in May 2009 ahead of his series of 'farewell' London concerts.
  
  "As a company, we would have preferred not having a physician on staff full-time because it would have been cheaper... but Michael was insistent that he be hired," said Randy Phillips, head of AEG - the promoters who were putting on the concerts.
  
  "Michael said he had a rapport with him."
  
  "He was there in case Micheal Jackson needed anything," a spokeswoman for the doctor said after his death.
  
  Little had been known about the physician until the fateful night of June 29. Then news that the king of pop was dead sent shock waves around the world.
  
  And as news stations in every country began unravelling the mystery of what had happened, Dr Conrad emerged as a main player in the tragedy.
  
  Right from the start he denied any wrongdoing, and at first was not treated as a suspect.
  
  An initial autopsy revealed no foul play and the Los Angeles Police Department said they did not intend to speak to him again after interviewing him.
  
  But a month later officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency entered Dr Murray's Huston office looking for evidence of manslaughter.
  
  More raids followed and Dr Murray became the central focus of the investigation, which was then being treated as a homicide.
  
  A coroner ruled that the singer had died from a fatal does of the medical anaesthetic propofol.
  
  Dr Murray released a YouTube video thanking his supporters for the kind emails and messages. "I told the truth and I have faith the truth will prevail," he said in the messages.
  
  The physician told police he had been giving Michael the drug as part of his treatment for insomnia.
  
  But he has always denied giving the superstar the dose which killed him.
  
  http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201111046484/conrad-murray-michael-jackson/

 

[myosotis]

InSession In Session
The jury in #conradmurray trial has been deliberating for a little over an hour now. Do you think they are close to a verdict?

InSession In Session
want to read the actual jury instructions? Click here: http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/


InSession In Session
The jury has requested a break. #MurrayTrial

InSession In Session
Tensions are running high outside the courthouse. #MurrayTrial


InSession In Session
Protesters on both sides are chanting, cursing, and competing for position in the penned in sidewalk areas. #MurrayTrial

InSession In Session
The jury has resumed deliberations after a short break. #MurrayTrial


InSession In Session
Several items of evidence just went back to the jury room. #MurrayTrial

mjsunifc Michael Jackson Club
JUSTICE FOR MICHAEL JACKSON IS TRENDING WORLDWIDE! #Justice4mj

issueswithjvm Jane Velez-Mitchell
MJ supporters w/sign nearly a block long! #MurrayTrial http://yfrog.com/ntj61nj

InSession In Session
The jury is on a lunch break until 1:30 p.m. PT. #MurrayTrial

issueswithjvm Jane Velez-Mitchell
A tip to @AlanDukeCNN says Katherine Jackson is coming 2 the #MurrayTrial courthouse right now! Verdict soon?

InSession In Session
Los Angeles Superior Court PIO: The Court has not contacted Mrs. Jackson. #MurrayTrial

InSession In Session
Joe and Katherine Jackson have arrived at a hotel close to the downtown courthouse in Los Angeles. #MurrayTrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Jurors deliberated another 1:30 hour in the afternoon. So far, 4:50 hours of deliberation. OJ Simpson jury took only 4 hours to acquit him.

InSession In Session
From In Session's producers in the courtroom... the jury has requested an afternoon break. #MurrayTrial


» HLNTV HLN News and Views
by InSession
1 BUZZ: Jury is present & deliberating. 2 BUZZES: Jurors have a note, question or need a break. 3 BUZZES: Jury has a verdict. Via @BethKaras

mccartneyAP Anthony McCartney
Just got kicked out of the courtroom - jury is done for the day.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
They have deliberated for about 6 hours and 8 minutes, approximately. No questions or request for read back.

 

[myosotis]

If convicted, Jackson doctor sentencing options range from probation to 4 years in prison

By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, November 4, 2:00 PM LOS ANGELES &#8212;

If Dr. Conrad Murray is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, he would face a sentence ranging from probation to four years in prison. Here are some of the factors related to sentencing:

&#8212; Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor would have complete discretion to decide the sentence. He would receive a probation department report on Murray recommending a sentence. Both prosecution and defense attorneys also would file recommendations. But the decision is his and his alone.

The judge can consider that Murray is a defendant with no prior criminal record, a circumstance that might mitigate in favor of probation.

&#8212; Because of AB109, a recent California prison realignment bill, Murray probably would not go to state prison. If given a prison sentence, he would most likely serve it in the county jail because of prison overcrowding. There has been speculation that he would be allowed to serve a term of house arrest.

&#8212; The penal code calls for a convicted defendant to be sentenced in 20 days, but he can waive that time while his attorneys prepare a motion for new trial and an appeal. He could remain free on bail during that period.

&#8212; Murray would lose his medical license.

If there is an acquittal, Murray walks free and his bail is exonerated, but he might still lose his medical license.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1/04/gIQAoDMtlM_story.html?wprss=rss_national


Factbox: Charges, outcomes for Conrad Murray in Jackson trial
By Jill Serjeant | Reuters &#8211; 2 hrs 19 mins ago..

Reuters) - More than two years after finding Michael Jackson lifeless in bed, the singer's personal doctor Conrad Murray awaits the verdict of a Los Angeles jury on a charge of involuntary manslaughter against him.

Following is a look at the criminal charge against Dr. Murray and possible outcomes of his trial.

* Dr. Conrad Murray, 58, is a Grenada born, Nevada-based cardiologist who was hired as Jackson's personal physician while the singer rehearsed for a series of planned comeback concerts in London.

* Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, which is defined as unintentional killing without malice. In California law, it is a charge of gross negligence in the medical care and treatment of Jackson.

* Under California law, the jury has to return a unanimous verdict to convict or acquit Murray. A split decision would mean the judge declares a mistrial, leaving the prosecution to decide whether to retry the defendant.

* In order to convict Murray, the jury must find that his care of Jackson was criminally negligent by giving the singer the powerful anesthetic propofol in a home setting as a sleep aid, failing to monitor him properly with the necessary equipment or bungling attempts to revive him.

* The judge will instruct the jury that Murray could be found responsible for Jackson's death even if the jury believed the singer injected himself with propofol, if that possibility was foreseeable.

* Murray faces a maximum four year sentence if convicted, with the exact sentence to be decided by the trial judge at a later date. But due to a new California law, thousands of nonviolent felons are being sent to county jails instead of state prisons. Because of overcrowding and budget constraints, such offenders are subject to early release or house arrest. According to some estimates, Murray could end up serving less than half the amount of any sentence.

* Whatever the verdict in the criminal case, Murray is involved in two pending civil lawsuits for the wrongful death of Jackson. One was filed by the singer's father Joe Jackson against Murray, and the other by his mother Katherine Jackson targeting concert promoter AEG Live and saying the company was ultimately responsible for Murray's decisions.

* Murray's license to practice medicine in California was suspended by the trial judge as a condition of his bail. He retains medical licenses in Texas and Nevada. The California Medical Board says a criminal conviction does not result in automatic termination of a medical license and the board would need to investigate on its own before making any decision.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
http://news.yahoo.com/factbox-charges-outcomes-conrad-murray-jackson-trial-162439213.html

 

[myosotis]

Dr. Conrad Murray: I'm Weathering the Storm With Friends & Family

Misery loves company -- Dr. Conrad Murray says he won't be spending what could be his final days of freedom alone.

While the jury deliberates the doc was spotted walking in Santa Monica ...and claimed he'll be hunkering down with "friends and family, and my children."

As TMZ first reported, Murray is "optimistic" the jury will acquit -- but, he claims, he ultimately has "no idea" how they'll swing.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/04/conrad-murray-manslaughter-trial-verdict-friends-family/


4 November 2011 Last updated at 18:41
Profile: Dr Conrad Murray

Dr Conrad Murray was hired by Jackson after becoming friends in 2006
When Michael Jackson died on 25 June 2009, Dr Conrad Murray was at the hospital for the pop superstar, who had hired him as his personal physician and considered him a friend.
Months later, the 58-year-old was charged with Jackson's death and became a hate figure to the singer's legions of fans around the world.

Raised by his grandparents in Grenada in poverty, Dr Murray worked his way up to become a successful cardiologist in the US.

A series of financial and personal problems seemed to be ending after a chance meeting in Las Vegas with Michael Jackson led to an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Dr Murray was hired at Jackson's request to be the star's personal physician ahead of his 50-date series of London concerts, This Is It.

Raised by his maternal grandparents, Dr Murray proved a hard-working student, eventually following his absent father, also a doctor, to the US - where he enrolled at Texas Southern University.
He graduated three years later with a degree in pre-medicine and biological sciences.
He continued his medical studies in Nashville, Tennessee, before completing his training in California and the University of Arizona, where he studied cardiology.
In 2000, he opened his own practice in Las Vegas, expanding with a second clinic in Houston in 2006. Like his father, he took pride serving both ends of the community, and provided medical care to deprived areas.

However, Dr Murray's apparent success was blighted by outstanding debts and tax demands. Reports suggest he filed for bankruptcy in 2002 while living in California.
The doctor's financial problems stemmed by providing medical care for the poor, his lawyers have said.
He had not paid the mortgage on his home in months when Jackson offered him the job as his personal physician. Other unpaid bills and debts loomed.

Dr Murray met Michael Jackson when the singer's daughter, Paris, was sick during a family trip to Las Vegas in 2006. According to Dr Murray's spokeswoman, someone within Jackson's group knew the doctor and called Dr Murray to treat her.
They remained friendly and Jackson hired the physician in May 2009. He was to be paid $150,000 (£96,000) a month.

"As a company, we would have preferred not having a physician on staff full-time because it would have been cheaper... but Michael was insistent that he be hired," promoter AEG's Randy Phillips told the Associated Press. "Michael said he had a rapport with him."

Dr Murray's lawyer, Edward Chernoff, said the case had put his client in fear of his life and he had to be accompanied "24/7 with a bodyguard".
The prosecution called Dr Murray's girlfriends to testify "He can't operate his practice," said the attorney. "He can't go to work because he is harassed no matter where he goes."

According to public records cited by the LA Times, Dr Murray had two children with his wife, but also fathered several children with different women.
Those children included the now young toddler of Nicole Alvarez, an actress who met Dr Murray in 2005.

Several of Dr Murray's recent girlfriends have also testified at his trial, as well as former patients.

According to court records, he has been sued more than 10 times, including for breach of contract and unpaid child support. He has never been sued for malpractice.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15595831


Conrad Murray Filming Documentary While Waiting For Verdict
Posted on Nov 04, 2011 @ 04:14PM print it send it
By Jen Heger - Radar Legal Editor

As Dr. Conrad Murray's fate is being determined by a jury, the embattled cardiologist is being interviewed by documentary filmmakers that have been working on the untitled project since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Michael Jackson, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

Dr. Murray is hunkered down with his girlfriend and baby mama, Nicole Alvarez, friends, and a film crew, while a jury decides if he is guilty or not guilty of killing Michael Jackson.

"The film crew has been interviewing Dr. Murray all morning, and cameras will be rolling when he is notified by his attorney, Ed Chernoff, that a verdict has been reached. Dr. Murray gave a one hour interview last night, after court ended. Dr. Murray will probably have a camera crew in the car with him when he goes to the courthouse when a verdict is formally announced. The film crew would potentially be filming Dr. Murray's final moments of freedom" a source close to the doctor tells us.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Dr. Murray needs the money from the documentary to pay his lawyers and experts. "Dr. Murray and his lawyers were hoping it would sell for a million bucks, but it looks like the max a network would pay is around 250k. If Dr. Murray is convicted, that price could go up or down. Murray's reps are trying to get the deal made before a verdict is rendered," an insider tells us.

Dr. Murray "was very, very upset with the DA for not referring to him as a doctor during his closing arguments. Dr. Murray felt that was a low blow, and he was very, very disappointed, and angry that he has been demeaned during this whole process," the source reveals.

Our sources tell us that Dateline NBC has expressed interest in airing the documentary, but no deal has formally been agreed upon yet.

The jury has been deliberating since 8:30 a.m. Friday. If convicted of the involuntary manslaughter charge, Dr. Conrad Murray could be sentenced to state prison for up to four years.

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusiv...ray-filming-documentary-while-waiting-verdict

 

[myosotis]

Not seen on TV: Sidebar secrets revealed
By Grace Wong, November 2, 2011 NEED TO KNOW&#8226;Attorney sidebar conversations with judge aren't televised
&#8226;The transcripts of the sibebar conversations are released later

Sidebar conferences are usually a closely-guarded secret until the end of a trial. The huddled discussions that take place at the bench are not meant to be heard by anyone except for the judge and attorneys taking part in them.
But in the case against Dr. Conrad Murray, daily transcripts of these private talks, offering a peek behind the scenes, are available to the public for a fee. In Session got the documents and thought you might like to know what those hush-hush conversations are all about.

Most of the time, the discussions center on logistics. In a recent sidebar, the judge expressed his concern that new evidence presented by the defense would delay the case and cause some jurors to drop out.
&#8220;I cannot have a continuing issue with new discovery in the middle of the case for both parties and seemingly no end to the case when it comes to the defense, and potential rebuttal, potential surrebuttal. I need to move this,&#8221; said Judge Michael Pastor.

Despite the judge&#8217;s reservations, court recessed early last Friday so prosecutor David Walgren could prepare for what is expected to be the most hotly contested issue in the case against Murray: Did Michael Jackson give himself the lethal dose of propofol? If any of the jurors believe he did, it could improve Murray&#8217;s chances of an acquittal.

The question has pitted two old friends against one another. When defense expert Dr. Paul White took the witness stand, he revealed no hint of a rivalry between him and the state&#8217;s expert Dr. Steven Shafer. In fact, when White was mistakenly called &#8220;Dr. Shafer&#8221; more than once, he appeared gracious and considered it a &#8220;compliment.&#8221; White made it a point to call Shafer, a &#8220;friend&#8221; during his testimony, betraying none of the drama that had taken place behind the scenes just a few days before.

Transcripts of those discussions in chambers tell a different story. White was quoted in an E! Online article, calling Shafer a &#8220;scumbag.&#8221; The comment so outraged Walgren that he went to the judge and rattled off a number of complaints:

&#8220;Using the word 'scumbag' apparently to describe Dr. Shafer, turning to the audience full of media, making comment, I&#8217;d also note in television news stories I have seen&#8230;when they pan in on him, the rolling of the eyes and facial expressions...There is a gag order in effect, and here you have him talking apparently to E! Online, voicing his opinion about witnesses and or me. I think something needs to be done about it. I think it&#8217;s totally unprofessional, I think it&#8217;s a violation of the gag order,&#8221; Walgren complained.

It was up to defense attorney Ed Chernoff to explain, &#8220;I&#8217;m not justifying it, but his professional standing was, he felt, was attacked by Shafer, that dismissive statement that he made. I&#8217;m not justifying it. I&#8217;m saying that is the reason, what precipitated this.&#8221;
Chernoff tried to reassure the judge, &#8220;If I had known that people were talking to him in the hallway and I saw that, I would have stopped it.&#8221;
That did nothing to appease Walgren.

&#8220;This has been a recurring issue. And, on the first day the court informed counsel to admonish Dr. White not to make facial expressions, things of that nature, and to stay in his seat. It was about 20 minutes later, he [White] is crawling across the floor when I&#8217;m doing my direct examination and the Court had to advise him to return to his seat...I think he should be removed from the courtroom,&#8221; demanded the prosecutor.
Chernoff stepped in to assuage the judge, who concluded his gag order may have been violated.
&#8220;I&#8217;m going to talk to him. I&#8217;m embarrassed by this,&#8221; said Chernoff. &#8220;You should hold me personally responsible.&#8221;

Chernoff, again, tried to explain the reason for White&#8217;s comments.
&#8220;He is personally hurt by his 20-year-old friend saying, basically being dismissive of him. But that is no excuse. I&#8217;m just telling you what is going through his mind,&#8221; referring to Shafer&#8217;s testimony criticizing White&#8217;s theory that Jackson may have ingested propofol.

Following the discussion, the judge said he would re-admonish White before the jury was brought in and he advised Chernoff that he intended to inquire about the matter during the recess.
&#8220;Well, can you do it at sidebar?&#8221; asked Chernoff. &#8220;Do you have to do it in front, embarrass him [White] in front of the entire press?&#8221;
&#8220;He has done it publicly,&#8221; the prosecutor shot back.
&#8220;David, I understand you are upset,&#8221; Chernoff said, &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to stoke the fire. I haven&#8217;t even spoken to him.&#8221;

White was not spared the public rebuke. He was scolded by Pastor in front of a battery of reporters, and while White denied making the scumbag remark, he conceded he did make other comments.
&#8220;I was asked that by a reporter, and my response was I guess I could say, of course when someone makes derogatory comments about you in court, it has an effect on you. I was very disappointed in Dr. Shafer&#8217;s remark,&#8221; said White.

White may have channeled some of his disappointment in helping Chernoff cross-examine Shafer.
&#8220;You certainly do consider that what you have claimed occurred in this case was an extraordinary claim?&#8221; asked Chernoff.
&#8220;Not at all,&#8221; said Shafer.

&#8220;You understand that Dr. Murray is literally on trial for his life?&#8221;
The question from Chernoff prompted the prosecutor to request a sidebar.
&#8220;On trial for his life?&#8221; asked the judge in the huddle.
&#8220;I would ask the jury be admonished they are not going to be considering sentence, anything of that nature. That is a totally inappropriate comment to make,&#8221; said Walgren.
&#8220;It is not about the sentence. It is a felony conviction that you are attempting to do. How could you say that is not?&#8221; Chernoff responded.
&#8220;On trial for his life? That is a tad hyperbolic, Mr. Chernoff, you know it,&#8221; the judge whispered.

The huddle broke up and the attorneys resumed their places after the judge agreed to tell the jury that the lawyers&#8217; statements were not evidence.

The defense showed no sign of backing off. In the follow up exchange, Chernoff grilled Shafer about his study directing human volunteers to drink propofol in an effort to prove the drug had no effect when orally ingested.
&#8220;You had to shove it down his [White&#8217;s] professional throat,&#8221; said Chernoff.
&#8220;Objection.&#8221;

The pattern continued. More questions, followed by repeated objections.

&#8220;Wait a minute,&#8221; said the judge. &#8220;May I see counsel for a moment please?&#8221;
The following sidebar was over quickly.
&#8220;What I&#8217;m going to say is, cut it out. Thank you,&#8221; said the judge.

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2011/11/02/not-seen-tv-sidebar-secrets-revealed

 

[myosotis]

No verdict yet in trial of Jackson's doctor
Panel didn't ask any questions or otherwise indicate progress

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY

updated 6 minutes ago 2011-11-05T00:23:14 LOS ANGELES &#8212;

Jurors considering the case against Michael Jackson's doctor ended their first day of deliberations Friday without reaching a verdict or asking any questions indicating how far along they have gotten in their discussions.
The seven-man, five-woman panel was given highlighters and blank forms to request evidence after starting deliberations on Friday morning.
They recessed around 7 p.m. PT and were set to resume discussions at 11:30 a.m. ET Monday.
The jury must reach a unanimous verdict to either convict or acquit Dr. Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's June 2009 death.

Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol; Murray has acknowledged giving Jackson propofol to help him sleep.

The jury is not sequestered and will deliberate during the court's regular hours. A verdict will be read the same day it is reached.

During closing arguments of the six-week trial, attorneys for the Houston-based cardiologist attacked prosecutors and their witnesses, saying they had over time developed stories and theories that placed the blame for Jackson's death squarely on Murray.
Prosecutors countered that Murray was an opportunistic and inept doctor who left Jackson's three children without a father. They said that Murray giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid violated standards of care and amounted to a secret experiment in which the doctor kept no records.

Media were stationed Friday outside the courthouse and in the courtroom where the jury's decision will eventually be read.

Attorneys handling the case will receive a two-hour notice when a verdict is reached. Murray waived the need for his presence if the panel asks any questions, but he must be present when a verdict is announced.

Jurors heard from 49 witnesses and have more than 300 pieces of evidence to consider. They were given lengthy instructions by the judge about how to deliberate.

If Murray is convicted, he faces a sentence ranging from probation to four years behind bars, and he would lose his medical license. The sentence will be decided by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor after receiving input from attorneys for both sides and probation officials, if necessary.
A recent change in California law means that Murray, 58, might serve any possible incarceration in a county jail rather than a state prison. A prison term could be shortened by overcrowding.
If acquitted, Murray could still be pursued by medical licensing authorities in the states of California, Nevada and Texas.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45161548/ns/today-entertainment/


Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial: No Verdict Yet
Jury is dismissed after first day of deliberations in Conrad Murray trial, which continues Monday morning.
By Kara Warner (@karawarner)

After nearly six hours of deliberation, the jury in the involuntary manslaughter trial against former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray was unable to reach a verdict Friday (November 4). Judge Michael Pastor dismissed the five-man, seven-woman jury in the late afternoon, with deliberations scheduled to resume Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The only news to come out of Friday's deliberation was that at one point, the jury requested to see evidence, which was brought to them in a box just before their lunch break.

With regard to where the case stands now, and whether the prosecution fared better than the defense, it's anyone's guess as to whether the verdict will be guilty or not guilty. The jury must now sift through 22 days of testimony from 49 witnesses, including some of Jackson's former employees, a number of Murray's girlfriends and patients, medical experts, police investigators and ER workers, to come up with their ruling.

In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutor David Walgren told the jury the evidence the state presented was "overwhelming" and showed that it was "abundantly clear" that Murray caused Jackson's death by acting in a negligent manner in providing the singer with the surgical anesthetic propofol in a non-hospital setting.

Defense attorney Ed Chernoff countered with arguments that investigators were sloppy in collecting evidence and that it was Jackson, not Murray who was to blame because, according to the defense, the 50-year-old singer self-administered the fatal propofol dose that took his life on June 25, 2009.

Murray, who was being paid $150,000 a month to care for Jackson, had pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and is now facing four years in prison. But new sentencing laws in California aimed at mandatorily reducing state prison overcrowding mean that, as a nonviolent offender with no prior record, he could be sentenced to county jail instead. If that is the case, his sentence could be reduced to two years and, because of overcrowding in the Los Angeles County jail, he may be allowed to serve the majority of his time under supervised house arrest.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673811/michael-jackson-conrad-murray-trial-no-verdict.jhtml

 

[myosotis]

November 4th, 2011 05:56 PM ET
Nancy Grace Weighs In On Michael Jackson Death Trial Deliberations

Will the jury reach a verdict on Friday in Conrad Murray&#8217;s trial for Michael Jackson&#8217;s death or will they be coming back on Monday?
As deliberations continued into their sixth hour and Katherine Jackson returned to the courthouse area for unknown reasons on Friday afternoon, Nancy Grace laid out some of the factors that may contribute to the amount of time this jury will take.

First, Grace suggested that the fact that the victim is a celebrity could extend deliberations. Also, she said that juries in California tend to take longer than those in other states, and their decisions are sometimes unexpected.
&#8220;California is always a longer deliberation&#8230;It very often will turn out exactly the way you don&#8217;t think it will,&#8221; Grace said on HLN Friday.

Still, the fact that it is a Friday and this trial has already run on for several weeks could be weighing on jurors.
Often, Grace said, when deliberations begin on a Friday, &#8220;the jury is over and done with the trial. They don&#8217;t want to come back on Monday&#8230;Come Friday around 5:00, you can expect a verdict in a lot of cases.&#8221;

Grace also commented on the closing arguments presented by both sides in the trial.
She argued that the defense theory that Jackson self-injected the drugs that killed him was not plausible. Based on the information contained in the autopsy report, Grace said, Jackson self-administering propofol was &#8220;not an option.&#8221;

She questioned the scenario that Murray only left Jackson alone for a couple of minutes&#8212;as he claimed in his police interview, which was played for the jury during the trial&#8212;and that, in that time, Jackson somehow woke up from the &#8220;stupor&#8221; the propofol had put him, grabbed the syringe and injected more of the drug himself. Even if he had, she said, the amount in that syringe would not have been enough to saturate his body with propofol to the extent that the autopsy showed.

&#8220;Conrad Murray is lying. It&#8217;s very obvious. If he&#8217;s got to lie, you&#8217;ve got to ask why&#8230;To me, that indicates guilt,&#8221; Grace said.
Pointing out that Murray ordered approximately four gallons of propofol during the few months that he was working as Jackson&#8217;s personal physician, she also expressed doubt that he was trying to wean Jackson of the drug as he claimed.
&#8220;That is a lie and once you catch a witness or a defendant in a lie, the judge&#8217;s instruction is you can discount every bit of their testimony or their case,&#8221; Grace said.

According to Grace, one of the strongest elements of the prosecution closing argument was David Walgren&#8217;s focus on the fact that Jackson&#8217;s three children have been left without a father.
&#8220;If I were on that jury, that would be my main concern,&#8221; Grace said.

http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/201...jackson-death-trial-deliberations/?hpt=ng_mid

 

[LastTear]

Day 2 of jury deliberations set as Michael Jackson fans plan candlelight vigil

By Alan Duke, CNN
November 7, 2011 -- Updated 1122 GMT (1922 HKT)

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor return to the downtown Los Angeles County courthouse for a second day of deliberations Monday.

The seven men and five women must decide if Dr. Conrad Murray was criminally negligent in his use of the surgical anesthetic propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia and if it significantly contributed to the singer's 2009 death.

Jackson fans who shouted slogans, waved signs and sometimes argued with Murray supporters outside the courthouse Friday planned a more solemn verdict vigil Monday with candles, according to messages posted on fan websites.

Katherine and Joe Jackson, the singer's parents, were expected to wait with other family members at a hotel near the courthouse so they could get there quickly when jurors say they have reached a decision.
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The jury deliberated for more than seven hours Friday before telling the judge it had not reached a verdict and was ready to go home for the weekend.

Jurors heard from 49 witnesses over 23 days, including Murray's girlfriends and patients, Jackson's former employees, investigators, and medical experts for each side.

They never heard from dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, who the defense contends got Jackson addicted to the painkiller Demerol in the last three months of his life. The defense argued Murray did not know about that addiction, which they said had fatal complications.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ruled Klein's testimony would not be relevant since Demerol was not found in Jackson's body by the coroner, who concluded the pop icon's death was caused by acute propofol intoxication in combination with two sedatives.

Klein, however, told In Session correspondent Jean Casarez in an interview Saturday that he used only low doses of Demerol while repairing Jackson's collapsed nose and jawline.

Medical records presented to the jury showed at least 24 visits by Jackson to Klein's office from March 12 until June 22, 2009, three days before Jackson's death. The defense previously said Jackson was given 6,500 milligrams of Demerol at Klein's clinic during those visits.

Jackson received 900 milligrams of Demerol at Klein's clinic over three days in early May, the records showed.

"I would never give a person those doses they attributed to me," Klein said.

The records are misleading because he was in Paris during most of May, Klein said. Other doctors working out of Klein's office may have given Jackson larger doses of Demerol, he said.

It was noted during testimony that no doctor's signature was on the medical records.

Murray's defense team, which is under an order from the judge not to talk to reporters about the case, did not immediately respond to Klein's comments.

Klein said he began the slow and painful process of rebuilding some of Jackson's facial skin in early April after his nose collapsed and he lost his jaw line.

Jackson, who was preparing for his comeback concert tour, wanted to look his best, Klein said. "Michael was an absolute perfectionist," he said.

While Klein insisted Jackson was not addicted to Demerol, he claimed he was "totally addicted to propofol."

Klein said he personally tried several times to prevent other doctors from administering propofol to Jackson for sleep.

"I knew this problem existed," Klein said in the interview Saturday. "I did my best to prevent it. Whenever I could, I prevented it, but I'm only one man and I have to support my own life and take care of myself."

Prosecutor David Walgren told jurors Thursday the evidence that Murray caused Jackson's death is "overwhelming" and "abundantly clear," while defense lawyer Ed Chernoff argued no crime was committed.

"If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?" Chernoff asked, saying it's a negligence case that should instead be heard by the state medical board.

"He was just a little fish in a big, dirty pond," Chernoff said, pointing the finger at other doctors who treated Jackson, and at Jackson himself.

Prosecutors argue that Murray's use of propofol in Jackson's home to treat his insomnia was so reckless, it was criminally negligent.

"Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father," Walgren said. "For them, this case doesn't end today, or tomorrow. For Michael's children, this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father. They do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray."

Walgren argued that until Jackson's death, no one ever heard of propofol being in a home every night to put someone to sleep. He called it "a pharmaceutical experiment on Michael Jackson ... an obscene experiment."

The defense contends Jackson self-administered the fatal overdose of drugs in a desperate search for sleep without Murray's knowing.

"What they're really asking you to do is to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff said.

After Chernoff finished his arguments, Walgren attacked the defense for trying to blame "everybody but Conrad Murray, poor Conrad Murray."

Walgren painted Murray as a selfish doctor who agreed to take $150,000 a month to give Jackson nightly infusions of propofol in his home, something an ethical doctor would never do because of the dangers.

Jurors heard from two anesthesiology experts who offered competing theories, Dr. Steven Shafer for the prosecution and Dr. Paul White for the defense.

Walgren attacked White for his determination "to find a theory or way to blame it on Michael Jackson."

White testified that the levels of propofol and sedatives found in Jackson's stomach, blood and urine during the autopsy convinced him that Jackson swallowed a large dose of lorazepam and later gave himself a rapid injection of propofol, which led to his death.

"What you were presented from Dr. White was junk science," Walgren said.

Chernoff defended his expert and attacked Shafer, saying he was "not a scientist; he was an advocate. He was trying to prove a point; he was trying to prove a case."

Shafer testified that the "only scenario" in Jackson's death was one involving an intravenous drip system infusing a steady flow of propofol into Jackson over several hours before his death.

Murray, if convicted, faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/07/j...ad-murray-trial/index.html?section=cnn_latest

 

[LastTear]

Jury in trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor is diverse, focused cross-section of Southern Calif.

<!-- /article tool bar -->By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, November 7, 1:37 PM


<!-- /byline --><ARTICLE>LOS ANGELES — The seven men and five women who hold the fate of Michael Jackson’s doctor in their hands are a diverse cross-section of Los Angeles, people of varying ethnicities from different towns who might never have met if they had not been thrown together in the jury pool.They are white, black and Hispanic, mostly middle-aged and live in an assortment of suburbs in the Los Angeles urban sprawl. Most have children and some have grandchildren.
<!--/quick-comments -->

<!--/article-side-rail--><ARTICLE>They include a professor, postman, bus driver, actor and movie animation supervisor.
The panel is set to resume deliberations Monday after spending their first day in discussions Friday without reaching a verdict.

Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors accused him of administering a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to the King of Pop.

The jurors, who have been engaged by all the details of the case, will likely be methodical in their deliberations.

Nine of them have prior jury experience and one woman, a native of Spain, has served on five juries, all of which reached verdicts. She was once a jury forewoman.

A woman who has worked as a paralegal for 30 years is serving on her first jury and appeared enthralled.

They knew about the involuntary manslaughter charge against Murray before they came to court and most of them know Jackson’s music. A few said they were fans and one, the video animation specialist, said he had some interaction with Jackson when the singer was making the video, “Captain EO.”

Details about their lives were culled from lengthy written questionnaires obtained by The Associated Press. Their identities have been kept secret and even lawyers in the case know them only by their jury numbers.

In six weeks together the jurors have displayed uncommon attentiveness to the task at hand. Several, including alternates, have taken notes and kept lists of evidence. Once, when the judge was at a loss to find the number of an exhibit, a member of the jury spoke up and told him.

There were no drooping eyelids or distracted glances. When a scientific expert was conducting experiments on the floor of the courtroom, panelists stood up in the jury box to get a better view.

Their attention to evidence and witnesses has impressed Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who commended them for their commitment, punctuality in getting to court and willingness to give up their personal lives to serve.

When the trial went longer than Pastor had predicted, he apologized, but the jurors seemed unperturbed.

Every night, when he gave them an admonition to avoid the news, the Internet and other sources of information about the trial, they listened as if it was the first time they had heard it and they nodded in agreement.

Many of the panelists have a familiarity with prescription drugs; most of them said they trust their doctors and several believe that celebrities receive a different kind of justice than average people.

Some have learned about the justice system from TV, watching such shows as “Law and Order” and “CSI.” Others watched broadcasts of real-life, high-profile trials including the Casey Anthony case and the O.J. Simpson trial.

One woman, an accounting manager, remembered that during the Simpson trial, “a TV was brought to the office for everyone to follow it.” A man in his 30s said he followed that trial in school as an educational experience.

While not sequestered, the jurors have had a rare opportunity to bond because they were kept together for lunch and transported together between a secret parking lot and the courthouse.

In order to avoid exposure to events outside the courtroom, the judge had lunch catered for them every day.

But during lunches and coffee breaks there was one thing they could not discuss — the trial. Now, in a secluded jury room, they can give each other their opinions as they try to reach a verdict.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1/11/07/gIQASONWuM_story.html?wprss=rss_music

 

[LastTear]

Conrad Murray Jury May Also Be Judging Michael Jackson

Deliberations will continue Monday in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray


By Patrick Healy

| Monday, Nov 7, 2011 | Updated 5:55 AM PST

var trkcid=133339483;var partnerID=523232; var _hb=1; window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href;
If jurors deliberating the fate of Dr. Conrad Murray did not realize it before, they did once they began deliberations: They are being asked to judge not only the accused doctor, but also his patient, the late megastar Michael Jackson.

For Jackson's medication death, Murray's jury is weighing one count of involuntary manslaughter.

"Somebody's got to say it. Somebody's got to tell the truth," defense attorney Ed Chernoff told jurors during his closing argument. "If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?"

"Don't be fooled by statements of Mr. Chernoff that the only reason this case is here is because (of) Michael Jackson," replied prosecutor David Walgren, who said Murray's administerng Jackson the surgical sedative propofol as a home sleep aide was nothing less than an "obscene pharmaceutical experiment."

Walgren told jurors the evidence pointed to Murray leaving Jackson unattended on an IV drip that ultimately led to his inability to breathe.
Multimedia
div.vidc {width:576px;height:324px;}Jury Continues Murray Trial Deliberations

var nbcSlideshowTitle_2 = "Who's Who: The Conrad Murray Trial"; But the defense attributed culpability to Jackson himself, rejecting the drip and contending that Jackson took pills of the sedative lorazepam and injected himself with propofol while Murray was not watching.

"They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff told jurors.
"To some degree, the trial has denigrated into a kind of character assassination of Michael Jackson," said attorney Mark Geragos, who represented Jackson during the early stages of the
molestation case in which Jackson was later acquitted.

In this case against Murray, the prosecution argued to jurors that even if they believe the defense theory, Murray's gross negligence still was a substantial factor in Jackson's death, the standard spelled out in the jury instructions.

"It does not have to be the only factor that causes death," Judge MIchael Pastor read to the jurors Thursday before final arguments.

"I don't know if the case will turn on the jury instructions," said Dermot Givens, a private attorney who has been following the case and serving as an analyst for NBC4. "But the prosecutors clearly won the battle with what jury instructions were going to be given."
The defense still saw room to argue Jackson's responsibility.

"Was Dr. Murray supposed to watch Michael Jackson to save him from himself at all times?" Chernoff said. "At what point do you draw the line about Dr. Murray's.. responsibility for a grown-up?"

In evaluating the evidence, the jurors must weigh conflicting expert testimony.

"These are qualified experts, colleagues, who are saying the exact opposite things," observed Steve Cron, another private attorney providing analysis for NBC4. "So how do you decide which one to believe? That can take a while. And I wouldn't be surprised if they want to have some of the expert testimony read back, to compare what Dr. (Paul) White said, versus what Dr. (Steven) Shafer said."

Jurors do not have to examine all of the exhibits entered into evidence. But if they do, that, too, could take some time. There are more than 300.

But in the end, it comes down to whether the prosecution convinced all of the jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that, regardless of jackson's role, it was his personal doctor who was criminally responsible. window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href;

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Murray-Jury-Michael-Jackson-Doctor-Trial-133339483.html window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href;

 

[LastTear]

Please scroll up.

MMcParland Michael McParland
...'or def should have foreseen the possibility of harm of the kind that could result from his or her act'.

MMcParland Michael McParland
If not, then a def can remain criminally liable for the death if either the possible consequence might reasonably have been contemplated...


MMcParland Michael McParland
that MJ self-administered drugs that killed him, this would only be an intervening cause if 'an unforeseeable and extraordinary occurrence'


MMcParland Michael McParland
And note (in partic- p.10 Top numbering) re intervening cause. As I said on Sky on Thursday- if jury were to find that there was a doubt...

MMcParland Michael McParland
The 2nd one is the breach of a legal duty- duty being the duty owed by CM as a Dr to MJ his patient (see p. 9-10 TOP RT HAND PAGE NUMBERING)


MMcParland Michael McParland

Yes the Jury Instructions are a very important read. Note to two theories that the Pros rely on to establish Inv. M. In particular, 2nd one



This list included Dr Klein and Dr Adams (the LV anaesthetist who is alleged to have given prpl to MJ). Pros objected. Judge ruled in Sept.

MMcParland Michael McParland
As at late August 2011, Defence had 103 people on their witness list of persons they intended to call incl those they'd not spoken too.


MMcParland Michael McParland
I attach a link to the Judge Pastor's jury instructions that was given to the CM jury summarising law etc http://cnninsession.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/jury-instructions.pdf Best W. M

 

[myosotis]

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Today will be day 2 of deliberations. Jurors spent a little more than 6 hours working on it on Friday. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Juries have began deliberations at 8:30 am sharp, according to the bailiff in the courtroom. #conradmurraytrial

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Meanwhile, business goes on as usual in the courtroom. Judge Michael Pastor is hearing other matters as jurors deliberate.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Cameras are not allowed in the courtroom at the moment, that's why you're not seeing anything. I'll keep you updated on all the developments

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Once there's a verdict, Judge Pastor will allow cameras to transmit the reading of it. You can watch it live on www.abc7.com/live

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
In a hung jury, jurors are hopelessly deadlocked and cannot unanimously agree on guilty or not guilty. Court then declares mistrial.
abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
In case of a mistrial, prosecution has the option of trying the case again, or simply abandon it
abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
In a hung jury or even conviction, it's up to the judge to decide whether he'll allow defendant to remain free on bail or not.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Juries just buzzed twice (which could be a questions or break) but bailiff said it was just a matter of housekeeping. Nothing special.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Jurors buzzed because they needed more toilet paper and paper towel for their bathroom. They are still deliberating, though. No break yet.

abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
Bailiff (Deputy Jones) said the jurors are still deliberating. No break yet; they began at 8:30 this morning.

» InSession In Session
Breaking news: The jury has buzzed three times. There is a verdict in the #MurrayTrial. Stay tuned to @InSession!


abc7MurrayTrial ABC7 Murray Trial
#BREAKINGNEWS Jury indicates they've reached a verdict http://bit.ly/abc7live Watch #MurrayTrial

 

[myosotis]

A peek behind the deliberation curtain
By HLNtv.com Staff, November 2, 2011
NEED TO KNOW
&#8226;There is no specific deliberation process jurors have to follow
&#8226;If the jury can&#8217;t reach a unanimous verdict, a mistrial must be declared

As the nation waits for the verdict in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, we thought you might want to know more about the deliberation process. Deliberations always happen behind closed doors; therefore, it&#8217;s difficult to predict exactly what will happen. But we can give you an idea of what usually happens during those critical hours when a group of citizens decide the fate of one.

What does the jury do in deliberations?
&#8226;Typically, the jury (minus the alternates) goes to the deliberation room with the admitted evidence, jury instructions and the verdict form
&#8226;The jury picks a foreperson
&#8226;As soon as the evidence is brought in, the jury can start deliberating
&#8226;There is no specific deliberation process they have to follow
&#8226;When they reach a decision on the charges, the foreperson fills out the verdict forms

What if jurors have questions about evidence or testimony?
&#8226;The jurors often have questions during deliberations. When they need information:
-they let a deputy know
-the deputy informs the judge
-the judge notifies the attorneys
-the judge gives the attorneys notice to get to the courthouse to hear the questions

&#8226;Most often, everyone convenes in court, although they may go to the judge&#8217;s chambers
&#8226;All parties review the question and discuss a resolution
&#8226;Sometimes the judge just sends the jury a note saying that he cannot answer their question and they should rely on the instructions he gave them
&#8226;The judge will put the question and response on the record
&#8226;If the jury wants testimony read back or wants to have a piece of video or audio played back, that could happen in the deliberation room or in open court
&#8226;Any court action or request by the jury requires the staff to summon all the parties to the courtroom

Does the jury have to reach a unanimous decision?
&#8226;The jury's decision must be unanimous
&#8226;If the jury indicates it can&#8217;t reach a unanimous decision ("hung jury"), the judge will likely give them the "Allen charge," encouraging them to keep working
&#8226;If the jury still can&#8217;t reach a unanimous verdict, the judge must declare a mistrial

What happens when the jury reaches a verdict?
&#8226;Specifics vary from court to court, but typically, the jury alerts the deputy that they have reached a verdict by sending out a note, or ringing a bell or buzzer (as is the case in the Murray trial)
&#8226;Then the judge alerts his staff
&#8226;The staff alerts the attorneys
&#8226;Media that is not in courthouse is notified by the court&#8217;s public information officer
&#8226;After the verdict is read in court, the jury is discharged. In this case, jurors will not be part of the sentencing phase if there is one

How much time is there between verdict being reached and verdict being read?
&#8226;The judge gives all parties notice that there is a verdict
&#8226;Judges usually give people between 30 to 45 minutes to get the courtroom before the verdict is announced, but in this case there will be two hours between the time a verdict is reached and the announcement of that verdict

Who reads the verdict?
&#8226;The clerk reads the verdict
&#8226;In the event of conviction, it is customary for the defense to ask to have each member of the jury polled, which means each juror is asked to verbally verify that they agree with the verdict

What happens next?
&#8226;If the defendant is found not guilty, he is free to go
&#8226;If Murray is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he will be taken into custody and fingerprinted
&#8226;If he's found guilty, there will be a sentencing phase at a future date

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2011/11/02/peek-behind-deliberation-curtain

 

[myosotis]

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